What is ISO 9001:2015 and Does Your Company Need It?

At Valens Project Consulting, we are well aware of the importance of a strong Quality Management System (QMS) for your business. ISO 9001:2015 is an international standard that offers a QMS framework focusing on risk-based requirements and a commitment to continuous improvement. Adopting this standard allows your business to consistently deliver products and services that impress customers and meet those regulatory requirements.

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First published in 1987, the most recent update to the ISO 9001 standard occurred in 2015. Applicable to all industries and business sizes, this version offers a versatile tool for improving QMS, risk management, and process efficiency.

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Can ISO 9001 certification benefit your business?

ISO 9001 forms the foundation of quality and business management. Complying with its 2015 standards requires your company to document responsibilities and procedures clearly. This includes everything from system requirements and management roles to the fine points of human resources and product design.

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Notably, the standard focuses on continuous improvement strategies—measuring and analyzing through internal audits and taking corrective action when things go sideways.

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The Seven Quality Management Principles of ISO 9001:2015 are crucial to this approach:

• Customer focus
• Leadership
• Workforce engagement
• Process approach
• Improvement
• Evidence-based decision making
• Relationship and workforce management

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Businesses can use these principles to create effective QMS, ensure high-quality products, foster a continuous improvement culture, manage risk, and save money. We see it as a win-win—your management and team members are more satisfied, and everyone knows their responsibilities.

ISO 9001 Standard

ISO 9001 is made up of 10 sections, but there are six you should know about:

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• Leadership: Top management’s role in QMS implementation.
• Planning: Structured planning for ongoing QMS function.
• Support: Effective management of all resources supporting the QMS.
• Operation: Planning and documentation for product/service planning, design, and distribution.
• Performance evaluation: Tracking QMS performance.
• Improvement: Continuous improvement plan for QMS and risk management.

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How to get started?

There are two types of certifications—one certifies a company’s QMS against ISO 9001 standards, and the other qualifies individuals to internally audit a company based on these standards.

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A recognized certification body must audit and approve a company’s QMS to achieve ISO 9001 certification. This means showing you have everything from management support to customer needs and all the processes and procedures that help with product development and resource management.

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Certification happens in two stages. Stage one is where certification auditors review your documentation. Stage two is the main audit to ensure compliance with ISO 9001 standards.

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Contact Valens Project Consulting Today

At Valens Project Consulting, we use our 50+ years of combined experience in project management to guide businesses like yours. We can help you determine if implementing ISO 9001 is the right strategy shift for your business. Our project management expertise can help you achieve your project goals effectively and efficiently.

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Contact us today to learn how we can support your project management needs with ISO 9001:2015 and more.

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