ISO 9001 Documentation
The first step in implementing an ISO 9001 system is to document your management system by developing the required documentation which consists of a quality manual and six required procedures:
1. Control of documents
2. Control of records
3. Internal audits
4. Control of nonconforming product
5. Corrective action
6. Preventive action
The ISO 9001:2008 standard also allows you to further simplify you documentation by combining some of these procedures:
- Control of documents and records
- Corrective and preventive action
So, instead of six individual documents you might have four. Now, depending on the size and complexity of your organization and your employee training programs, you will need to add any additional procedures necessary to meet your organizations objectives and customer requirements.
Documentation can sometimes become a mine field during a registration audit because some organizations over document their system because they believe they have to detail everything. If your organization has little or no ISO 9001 training it is best to get training or hire a good ISO 9001 consultant who can help you develop your quality management system documentation. Don’t just spin your wheels, get help and save time and money!
Documentation is always a problem, not so much in the control of revisions and content but in the depth and complexity of the content. In the 1980s the aviation industry worked on what was termed as Simple English. It was meant to provide a limited number of words that defined required actions without any confusion. Publications should be written in a clear and concise manner. Complex issues will require somewhat complex documentation but on the whole it should remain simple. A lot of people don’t like to read, so it is better to offer them simple easy to read and com[prehend.