A quality management system (QMS) is a documented management process which, designed in accordance with the internationally recognised quality standard ISO 9001:2000 provides a mechanism for ensuring good business management. A well planned QMS is:
· effective
· efficient
· economical
· an aid to continual improvement
A well maintained and managed quality management system often requires focused time. Employing the services of an experienced quality assurance consultant can benefit your organisation in the following ways:
· freeing your staff to carry out their own work;
· lessens the fear of ‘being checked up on’ by a colleague;
· truly independent observations can be made; eg: ‘office politics’ do not cloud findings;
· a ‘fresh pair of eyes’ will often highlight potential issues that may go unnoticed for some time due to continually working in that environment.
Whether accredited with or not, or aspiring to gain accreditation to ISO 9001:2000 a QMS provides a way for management to give direction to staff without removing the sense of ownership and initiative that is now vital to the success of all organisations.
Any organisation, regardless of size or function, wishing to implement a formal process for improved efficiency, employee involvement and increased customer satisfaction levels can benefit through implementing the common-sense management approach of ISO 9001:2000.
There is no single reason for implementing a QMS, often included are:
· customer satisfaction
· good business practice
· customer care
· marketplace advantage
