QIC Guru

Step 3. Have a planning meeting with top management to determine resources, authorities, and responsibilities for development and implementation of your quality management system. Lay out the requirements and their roles and responsibilities.  Most often top management sets the goals and then sits back and waits for results. ISO9001 requires top management participation and commitment. They must be fully involved with setting the quality policy and objectives for the quality management system. They must provide the resources to accomplish the objectives and they must be visibly active in communicating their commitment to the success of the quality management system. If you cannot demonstrate to a third party auditor that top management is committed to your management system, you will not be recommended for certification.

Step 4.  Have a kick off meeting which includes all employees. Explain what you are trying to accomplish and how this will affect them as employees of your organization.  Make sure that top management participates in this meeting to reinforce their commitment. Once you have finished outlining your plans for certification, allow your employees to ask question and voice concerns. Many races have been lost due to lack of commitment and poor team work.  Employee understanding and ISO 9001 training will be key to the overall success of your quality system, keep them involved at all levels.