How to prepare for ISO 9000
Checklist
- Read through the standards: ISO 9000 (which explains the terms used), ISO 9001 (the main standard) and ISO 9004 (continual improvement) to make sure you understand them.
- Contact your local Business Link for advice (and information on any grants); decide what training or consultancy support you need.
- Make sure you have management commitment to understanding and meeting customers' needs; prepare a simple company quality policy.
- Plan the quality project: allocate resources and personnel, clarify responsibilities and set realistic objectives and timescales.
- Identify all the critical activities which directly affect customer satisfaction and how they interact.
- Include other activities covered in the standard: for example, design, purchasing, production and service operations.
- Involve employees in analysing your current processes; explain the aim of improving quality and how they can contribute.
- Prepare clear documentation describing the agreed best method for carrying out each process, together with related instructions.
- Establish a system for authorising each process (and for controlling and authorising subsequent amendments).
- Identify quality indicators and set standards (eg response times, minimum quality standards).
- Implement processes: communicate them to employees and provide any training required.
- Appoint and train an internal auditor.
- Regularly audit processes to make sure systems are followed and standards achieved.
- Correct any problems: for example, by revising processes to reflect changed circumstances or by strengthening implementation.
- Contact the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) for details of an approved certification body to assess whether you meet the standard.
Cardinal rules
Do:
- make sure you understand the requirements of the standard
- arrange advice and support
- make a commitment to quality and achieving the standard
- involve and train employees
- clearly document key processes
- monitor whether the system is working
- update and improve processes as circumstances change
Don't:
- underestimate the time and resources needed to meet the standard
- prepare excessive, over-complex documentation
- undergo assessment before the system is established
