Quick access
ISO 9001 is a quality management system standard that outlines the requirements for an organization's quality management system. It helps organizations to consistently provide products and services that meet customer and regulatory requirements. There are eight quality management principles that form the foundation of the ISO 9001 standard. In this blog, we will delve into each of these principles in detail and provide examples of how they can be applied in practice.
Principle 1: Customer focus
This principle emphasizes the importance of understanding and meeting the needs and expectations of customers. It requires organizations to establish clear customer requirements and regularly review and monitor customer satisfaction. An example of this principle in action would be an organization that conducts regular surveys to gather feedback from its customers and uses this feedback to continuously improve its products and services.
Principle 2: Leadership
Leadership involves setting the direction and guiding the efforts of the organization towards achieving its goals. It requires leaders to communicate their vision, values, and expectations to the rest of the organization and to create an environment that supports continuous improvement. An example of this principle in action would be a leader who encourages employees to suggest improvements to processes and recognizes and rewards those who contribute to the organization's success.
Principle 3: People involvement
This principle emphasizes the importance of involving people in the quality management process. It requires organizations to provide training and development opportunities for their employees and to involve them in decision-making processes. An example of this principle in action would be an organization that regularly solicits input from its employees on how to improve processes and that provides training to help employees develop the skills and knowledge needed to contribute to the organization's success.
Principle 4: Process approach
The process approach involves identifying and managing the processes needed to deliver products and services. It requires organizations to define and document their processes, measure and monitor their performance, and continually improve them. An example of this principle in action would be an organization that has established clear procedures for each step in its manufacturing process and regularly measures and analyzes the performance of each process to identify opportunities for improvement.
Principle 5: Systematic approach to management
This principle involves establishing a systematic approach to managing the quality management system and making decisions based on factual evidence. It requires organizations to establish clear policies and procedures, set quality objectives, and regularly review and monitor the effectiveness of their quality management system. An example of this principle in action would be an organization that has established a system for collecting and analyzing data on customer complaints and uses this data to identify trends and improve its products and services.
Principle 6: Continual improvement
Continual improvement involves a continuous focus on improving the performance of the organization. It requires organizations to regularly review and evaluate their processes and products, identify areas for improvement, and take action to make those improvements. An example of this principle in action would be an organization that has established a system for regularly reviewing its processes and products and that takes steps to continuously improve their efficiency and effectiveness.
Principle 7: Factual approach to decision making
This principle involves making decisions based on factual evidence and objective analysis. It requires organizations to gather and analyze data from a variety of sources and to use this data to inform their decision-making processes. An example of this principle in action would be an organization that collects and analyzes data on customer complaints, production efficiency, and product defects to identify trends and take corrective action as needed.
Principle 8: Mutually beneficial supplier relations
This principle involves establishing and maintaining mutually beneficial relationships with suppliers. It requires organizations to communicate their requirements to suppliers, evaluate their performance, and take steps to continuously improve their relationship. An example of this principle in action would be an organization that regularly communicates its expectations to its suppliers, provides feedback on their performance, and works with them to identify and implement improvements.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the eight quality management principles of ISO 9001 provide a strong foundation for building a successful quality management system. By focusing on customer needs, providing strong leadership, involving people in the process, adopting a process approach, taking a systematic approach to management, continuously improving, making decisions based on factual evidence, and fostering mutually beneficial supplier relationships, organizations can improve the quality of their products and services and better meet the needs of their customers. Implementing these principles can help organizations to achieve long-term success and maintain a competitive edge in their industry.
If you're looking for a platform to collect more data to monitor your organisation's incident reporting practices, Falcony | Observe have you covered. You can find more information on our website or test out our 30-day free trial:
We are building the world's first operational involvement platform. Our mission is to make the process of finding, sharing, fixing and learning from issues and observations as easy as thinking about them and as rewarding as being remembered for them.
By doing this, we are making work more meaningful for all parties involved.
More information at falcony.io.
Kaarle Parikka
Head of Marketing