A company is sometimes like a big kitchen. Even if you have the best ingredients and chefs, it doesn't mean that everything will go the way you want it to. Because without a clearly written cookbook that explains all the steps to the finish line, you will always get a different result – even with chicken soup.
ISO 9001 is to your company what the cookbook is to the kitchen. It is the recipe according to which the results are always delivered in consistently high quality. With this standard, you ensure that everyone knows what needs to be done when and how, regardless of whether your company is a small family business or a global corporation.
ISO 9001 helps you to clearly define processes, assign responsibilities and ensure that you achieve your quality objectives. In this article, you can find out exactly how this works and why ISO 9001 is indispensable for many companies.
What is ISO 9001?
In short, ISO 9001 is a standardized and internationally valid norm for effective quality management systems (QMS). This standard was developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and is now recognized and used worldwide.
ISO 9001 itself is a guideline that supports companies in optimizing their own QMS processes and working with the same or improved quality in the long term. The standard remains so flexible that it can be applied to a wide range of companies, institutions and even authorities – from agencies to educational institutions and insurance companies.
Certification to ISO 9001 therefore makes it clear that the certified company is able to deliver high-quality products or services on a permanent basis and is committed to the continuous improvement of its own processes. This makes the standard not only a helpful guide, but also a valuable quality feature.
Info: What is quality management?
Quality management is about ensuring that services or products are always of the same high quality. This is achieved by creating and communicating clear processes to increase productivity and avoid errors. The expectations of customers or users should be met or even exceeded.
Who needs ISO 9001?
Whether start-up, SME or large corporation – in principle, any company can benefit from an ISO 9001 certification, regardless of size or industry. However, it is important to note that the certification is voluntary. There is therefore no obligation to follow the ISO specifications – although in some industries, such as healthcare, the automotive industry or aerospace, it is often required as a basis in addition to industry-specific standards.
Regardless of this, ISO 9001 supports any company that wants to structure its internal processes, improve its efficiency and achieve greater customer satisfaction. The standard is particularly relevant for industries with high competitive pressure or constantly rising quality expectations. It makes processes transparent and comprehensible so that companies can react quickly and flexibly to constantly changing market requirements. But these are not the only benefits.
What are the benefits of an ISO 9001 certification?
- More flexible and traceable processes
- Continuous or even increasing quality
- Internationally recognized seal of quality
- Increased customer satisfaction
- Greater legal certainty through risk minimization
- More efficient employees thanks to clear communication
- Easier integration of additional management systems
- Potential for cost reductions
- Continuous evaluation and improvement
- Optimized decision-making
How do you get an ISO 9001 certification?
Preparation:
The first step towards an ISO 9001 certification is to get a comprehensive picture of the status quo. This involves taking a comprehensive look at the current processes, structures and procedures and identifying gaps or suggestions for improvement.
The next step is to set up a quality management system. To do this, the persons responsible must be appointed, quality targets set and processes documented. It is also important to get employees on board and train them accordingly.
Internal audit:
Before an external audit takes place, ISO specifications require an internal audit to be carried out – in other words, a test run before the external audit. This verifies whether the company processes meet the requirements of ISO 9001 and whether the company would pass the certification.
External audit:
The external audit, which is carried out by an independent certification body, roughly consists of two phases.
The first phase assesses whether the QMS documentation meets the ISO 9001 requirements.
The second phase involves an on-site assessment of how the QMS is implemented in practice and how the ISO requirements are met. If everything is correct, the company is then awarded the ISO certification.
Surveillance audit:
After certification, regular, usually annual, surveillance audits are carried out as part of ongoing monitoring. These are intended to ensure that the QMS continues to meet the requirements or whether improvements are necessary. This is to acertain that the standard is complied with in the long term.
What does ISO 9001 certification cost?
There is no fixed price for an ISO 9001 certification; instead, various factors play a role in calculating the price. These include the size of the company, the number of employees and whether other certifications are sought in tandem with ISO 9001. In addition, costs for the certification body and, if necessary, external consultants must be taken into account.
Roughly speaking, small and medium-sized companies can expect to pay a mid four-figure sum for the certification, while larger companies should be looking at a high four-figure or even low five-figure sum – depending on the complexity of the processes. In addition, it should not be forgotten that monitoring and recertification are also a cost factor.
Conclusion: ISO 9001 shows the way to sustainable quality and efficiency
To take up the example from the introduction once again: ISO 9001 helps you to ensure that your dishes are not only to the right taste today, but also in the long term – and in the same way every time. It helps you to increase your efficiency, avoid mistakes and make optimum use of your resources. With clear goals, structured processes and continuous development, you lay the foundation for sustainable success.
And just like in a kitchen, it's important to have the right tools to keep quality high in the long term – for example with the right software for your project management. If you focus on high quality, reliability and security here too, your company will work just as productively as a well-coordinated kitchen team.
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