Article by:
Mahmoud Nabavi
The underlying principles of ISO 9001:2015 should help organizations improve the way they do things. Take the wrong approach to implementation of some of the requirements and they can experience the opposite effect.
ISO 9001:2015 is a standard that sets out the requirements for a quality management system. It is a very effective way to help organizations be more efficient and improve the needs and expectations of their interested parties such as clients, employees, regulatory bodies, etc. ISO 9001:2015 is the most common internationally recognized framework that helps organizations to be more effective and efficient. There are over one million companies and organizations in over 170 countries certified to ISO 9001. There are many points to consider before start implementing the requirements of ISO 9001. This post aims to answer the business's most common questions with no prior knowledge of ISO 9001.
Here are answers to the most commonly asked question about ISO 9001 myths.
1. Is it very complicated to implement and follow?
No, ISO 9001 seems difficult at first but the concepts behind the standard are straightforward and simple to follow. Most businesses have to follow the ISO 9001 concept regardless to be successful and efficient business.
2. Isn’t meant to be applied only for large organizations?
No, the standard can be used by any organization regardless of their size or their complexity. ISO 9001 is set out a series of requirements and rules. Typically, the ISO 9001 requirements are followed by organizations if they are interested in staying in the market and being well ahead in the competition. ISO 9001 is a framework that indicates how businesses should manage their records and data. The organization's size was not a factor that took into account while developing the ISO 9001 standard.
3. Is it costly to learn about ISO 9001?
No, the ISO 9001 standard can be purchased from the ISO website or through the ISO store in your country. The cost to purchase a copy of the standard is typically between 100 to 300 USD. It is an easy read document and is supported by many guidelines and examples.
4. Is this standard just for the manufacturer or applied to a special group?
No, the standard can be used by all organizations. Either in the support industry, tourism, health or etc. the ISO 9001 is applicable and can be implemented by any organization. In fact, ISO 9001:2015 was specifically designed to be more accessible to organizations and businesses outside the manufacturing sector. ISO 9001 is a framework that indicates how the business has to manage the records and data. The organization's scope of activity was not a factor that took into account while developing the ISO 9001 standard.
5. Will ISO 9001 help me increase my organization's profits?
Yes. ISO 9001 can help organizations to improve their financial benefits in a number of ways:
6. Does it mean lots of extra paperwork?
Not necessarily, there are certain elements that you should document and keep the records. The documentation level is left open for the organizations to come up with the module the works best for them. There is a simple rue to follow, if you found a process difficult to follow, then don’t blame ISO standards. Rethink about the process and improve it in a way that suits your organization.
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