ISO Process Approach and Element of Quality Management System

What is the ISO Process Approach?

The ISO standards are structured around the Process Approach concept. Two of the eight quality management principles are key to understanding this principle:

• Process Approach - Understand and organize company resources and activities to optimize how the organization operates.
• System Approach to Management - Determine sequence and interaction of processes and manage them as a system. Processes must meet customer requirements.

Therefore, when company resources and activities are optimally organized, and managed as a system, the desired result is achieved more efficiently.

In order to effectively manage and improve your processes, use the Plan-Do-Check-Act or PDCA cycle as a guide. First, you Plan by defining your key processes and establishing quality standards for those processes. Next, you Do by implementing the plan. Thirdly, you Check by using measurements to assess compliance with your plan, and finally, you Act by continuously improving your product performance.

What are the Elements of a Quality Management System?

ISO standards are documented rules and guidelines for implementing a quality system into your company. Specific technical specifications and/or other specific criteria may also be included depending on the standard you select.

The ISO 9001 standard is a model of a quality system, describing the processes and resources required for registration of a company's quality system. This ISO System diagram shows the management system and processes that are part of the ISO quality management standard. A brief summary of the key requirements is detailed below.

• QMS - Document processes necessary to ensure product or service is of high quality and conforms to customer requirements.
• Management Responsibility - Provide a vision. Show commitment. Focus on the customer. Define policy. Keep everyone informed.
• Resource Management - Assign the right person to the job. Create and maintain positive workspace.
• Product Realization - Clearly understand customer, product, legal and design requirements. Ensure specifications are followed. Check your suppliers.
• Measurement, Analysis & Improvement - Identify current and potential problems. Monitor and measure customer satisfaction. Perform internal audits. Fix problems.

to be continued...

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