It's
not too difficult to get started on the road to ISO. We recommend that you
begin by going straight to the ISO Website and
getting a feel for where your business may fit. Then:
-
Purchase
the ISO document that best fits your organizational mission.
Note: These documents are typically copyrighted, and must be purchased
from ISO.
-
Contact
the ISO Member in your country, or an ISO
Organization that may be able to help. They are there for you, and
are eager to help.
-
Take
a good look at the ISO documentation from your research. Allow ALL
major functions and leaders in your organization to get a good look at the
documents.
-
Consider
that a decision to get ISO accredited will require the buy-in of ALL players
in your organization. Don't ever forget: To
go ISO is a BUSINESS decision, not something you can hand off to your
Quality Assurance manager and forget.
-
Consider
getting involved in one of the many ISO Committees
out there. Much can be learned by becoming involved in the ISO
community.
-
Consider
finding a good ISO Consultant to
help get you started. (Note:
Our list of consultants is far from complete, although it is growing.
We recommend that you shop carefully before retaining a consultant.
Even some prepackaged "off the shelf" ISO systems may work for
you)
-
Build
a Quality System Manual which reflects the ISO standards. It's OK to
use a numbering system which parallels ISO. The most important
thing is: Develop a
good audit and corrective action process.
-
WORK
TO YOUR DOCUMENTED PROCESSES. If a process fails you, change the
process, change the
documentation accordingly and STICK WITH IT.
-
Develop
a way to maintain configuration control of your documentation.
Some companies do not allow paper processes to be used, they provide
computer generated processes from a mainframe or a server, so paper copies
don't linger at a work station long after they are outdated.
-
Get
it ingrained throughout your organization that an audit finding is not a
failure, it is an opportunity to improve. This is perhaps the most
difficult cultural challenge you will face. Management
leadership must demonstrate a willingness to learn and change in a positive
way! You will realize you are on the road to success when a
department ASKS for audits.
-
Research
carefully and select
the best registrar for you from the list of ISO
Registrars. You may wish to talk to other businesses who have been
audited for ISO accreditation. This is critical because you are
preparing to select an organization that can significantly influence your
future. Remember: Some customers will ask "WHO issued your
accreditation?".
-
Contact
your registrar and begin the accreditation process. Consider
this: There may be value in having your first
audit before your processes are 110% ready - approach this in a relaxed
fashion. The developmental
stage is often the best time to correct something that is getting off to a
bad start, when you can nip it in the bud. Many registrars will be happy to
conduct a "Readiness Review", a quick, preliminary look to see if
there are any major problems that could be showstoppers. AND, they
might do that it a reduced cost.
