The ISO 9001 family of standards started long ago, initially inspecting ships for seaworthiness among other things. Despite these standards existing and being fully actionable the largest maritime disaster to date still occurred, the sinking of the Titanic. While it is known that the Titanic sank because it hit an iceberg, the non-conformance of product standards is also brought into question.
Further inspection by the Polaris Image Inc company, uncovered discrepancies in the quality of the steel plates used, finding them to be sub-par. There was a lack of quality checks, leading to this non-conformity. While other factors led to its sinking, there are questions as to whether the Titanic might have recovered had it implemented a proper Quality Management System.
What is a Quality Management System?
A Quality Management System specifies the requirements for good practices to achieve quality. It is therefore the structure, policies, procedures, and specifications for the use of resources that are required for the implementation and assurance of quality in a business’s product development and service delivery. An example of a Quality Management System presents itself in the form of ISO 9001: 2015.
What is ISO 9001: 2015?
ISO 9001: 2015 is an internationally recognised standard that sets the requirements for the creation, implementation and management of a Quality Management System intending to produce quality products and services. It is used to monitor and control production processes to meet the expected results.
What are the benefits of ISO 9001: 2015?
Having a quality standard can benefit an organisation in the following ways:
- It builds confidence that products and services are of high quality.
- It meets regulation requirements at a lower cost.
- It boosts company image and credibility.
- Clients feel assured and satisfied.
- Ongoing improvement of business processes is achieved.
How is ISO 9001: 2015 implemented?
The implementation of ISO 9001:2015 is assisted by engineers, consultants, and auditors at WWISE who are registered and take the time to understand the products and processes of an organisation in context. Some of the industries that might implement ISO 9001:2015 include:
- Manufacturing.
- Engineering services.
- Mining.
- State-owned companies.
- Government-run organisations.
- Fast-moving consumer goods.
How can WWISE help?
WWISE has a 4-Phase Approach:
- Phase 1: Gap Analysis Audit and Information Gathering.
- Phase 2: ISO Documentation, Risk Assessment, and Process Mapping.
- Phase 3: Implementation and Coaching.
- Phase 4: Certification.
Whether you are new to Quality Management or looking to enhance your current ISO Management System, we have the right resources, consultants, and training courses to help you. Our support however does not stop there. We can ensure that your Management System keeps on delivering the best results for your organisation.
WWISE creates excellence by driving the success of our clients through ISO standards. We help organisations to embed resilience, assisting them to cultivate sustainably, adapt to any change, and thrive for the long term. When it comes to quality, is perception reality?
For more information on how you can train your employees on ISO 9001:2015 contact WWISE today on 08610 99473 or 021 525 9159 (Cape Town), or visit our website: https://www.wwise.co.za