How ISO 9001 controls improve your business?

 

How ISO 9001 controls improve your business?

-By Arnav Mishra

 

Abstract

This article explores how ISO 9001 controls enhance business performance by promoting a systematic approach to quality management. Through the establishment of a Quality Management System (QMS), organizations can align processes, improve efficiency, and meet customer expectations. The article emphasizes the multifaceted advantages of ISO 9001, including increased customer satisfaction, market expansion, and the achievement of regulatory compliance. Ultimately, ISO 9001 certification serves as a catalyst for ongoing improvement, resource savings, and heightened competitiveness in the global business arena.

Introduction

ISO 9001 is the international standard for creating a Quality Management Systems (QMS), published by ISO (the International Organization for Standardization). The standard was most recently updated in 2015, and it is referred to as ISO 9001:2015. The standard outlines a set of criteria that organizations can follow to establish, implement, maintain, and continually improve a quality management system. The primary goal of ISO 9001 is to enhance customer satisfaction by ensuring that an organization consistently provides products or services that meet customer and applicable regulatory requirements.¹

While ISO 9001 certification is not mandatory, numerous organizations opt to pursue it to showcase their dedication to quality and enhance their internal operations. The implementation of ISO 9001 can bring several benefits to organizations, including improved customer satisfaction, better internal communication, increased efficiency, and a more systematic approach to managing processes. Corporations continue to choose the ISO certificate to boast customer trust and increase customer loyalty.

 

What is a Quality Management System?

A quality management system is a way of defining how an organization can meet the requirements of its customers and other stakeholders affected by its work. ISO 9001 is based on the idea of continual improvement.² It intentionally avoids specifying predefined objectives related to "quality" or "meeting customer needs." Instead, it mandates that organizations set and define these objectives independently. The standard emphasizes the ongoing enhancement of processes as the means to achieve these self-defined objectives. Once these targets have been attained, they must be reassessed… in a quest for continual improvement.

Principles of ISO 9001

The ISO 9001 is based on seven quality management principles. These are-

• Customer Focus- Organizations depend on their customers and therefore should understand current and future customer needs, should meet customer requirements and strive to exceed customer expectations.
• Leadership- Leaders establish unity of purpose and direction of the organization. They should create and maintain the internal environment in which people can become fully involved in achieving the organization's objectives.
• Engagement of People- People at all levels are the essence of an organization and their full involvement enables their abilities to be used for the organization's benefit.
• Process Approach- A desired result is achieved more efficiently when activities and related resources are managed as a process. 
• Improvement- Improvement of the organization's overall performance should be a permanent objective of the organization.
• Evidence-based Decision Making- Effective decisions are based on the analysis of data and information.
• Relationship Management- An organization and its external providers (suppliers, contractors, service providers) are interdependent and a mutually beneficial relationship enhances the ability of both to create value.⁴ 

The mentioned method of control is beneficial to industries and companies, it enumerates the various quality checks done to ensure that the product made is up to the quality mark of the and help put the customers mind at easy regarding product quality and inspection.

Advantages to Business

“The ISO 9001 sets requirements designed to improve a business ability to improve business performance by addressing all the important aspects of business planning and monitoring including the assessment of business risks, setting of goals and objectives, defining business processes and monitoring their effectiveness and monitoring business results.³”   

• By assessing their context, organizations can define who is affected by their work and what they expect. This enables clearly stated business objectives and the identification of new business opportunities. 
• Organizations can identify and address the risks associated with their organization.
• By putting customers first, organizations can make sure they consistently meet customer needs and enhance customer satisfaction. This can lead to more repeat customers, new clients and increased business for the organization.
• Organizations work in a more efficient way as all their processes are aligned and understood by everyone. This increases productivity and efficiency, bringing internal costs down. The ISO uses a special approach which examines those processes, in this way it becomes easier to address the parts which need improvement and the parts where you can combine and save resources.  
• Organizations can expand into new markets, as some sectors and clients require ISO 9001 before doing business. This is important as having an ISO 9001 mark signifies that how have been professionally certified. Having an ISO 9001 certifies company opens many doors to your company and enable you to participate in public tenders.
• Organizations will meet necessary statutory and regulatory requirements. The primary objective of obtaining ISO 9001 certification is to achieve ongoing improvement, leading to increasingly significant savings of resources for your company. If the company culture is continual improvement, then your employees will naturally focus better. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, the implementation of ISO 9001 controls brings substantial advantages to businesses, fostering a culture of continual improvement and customer-centricity. By adhering to the seven quality management principles, organizations can enhance customer satisfaction, streamline processes, and effectively manage risks. ISO 9001 not only ensures compliance with regulatory requirements but also opens doors to new opportunities and markets. The methodical approach outlined in the standard allows businesses to function with greater efficiency, resulting in heightened productivity and reduced costs. In the end, ISO 9001 certification provides organizations with the capability to establish trust, enhance customer loyalty, and pursue excellence within a challenging business environment.

 

References 

1. Mark Hammar, What is the ISO 9001 standard? A straightforward overview, https://advisera.com/9001academy/what-is-iso-9001/.
2. Reaping the benefits of ISO 9001, (May 2, 2019), https://www.iso.org/files/live/sites/isoorg/files/store/en/PUB100369.pdf.
3. How can ISO9001 help your business grow https://newiso9001.files.wordpress.com/2016/07/whitepaper_how_can_iso_9001_help_your_business_grow_en.pdf.
4. International Organization for Standardization. https://www.iso.org/