ISO-9001:2008 standard defines the minimum requirements for Quality Management Systems implementation. Any company can qualify for certification to this standard. On the other hand, the TS-16949:2009 standard more specifically defines the requirements for automotive related Quality Management Systems. In order to qualify for certification to this standard, the company must provide value-added manufacturing processes for cars, trucks, buses and motorcycles. "Manufacturing" is interpreted as the process of making or fabricating production materials, production or service parts, assemblies and services (plating, painting, welding, heat treating, or other finishing services.
Both standards are "process" based. Simply put, the standard is based upon a business process model that applies the understanding of the identification and interaction of all business processes within the company.
Most, if not all, companies have 4 or 5 major processes. these processes are:
- Business Planning / Management Review process
- Sales / Quote process
- Product / Service Planning process
- Manufacturing / Provision process (and support processes including maintenance, purchasing, etc)
- Measurement / Analysis process
The development of a Business Process Map (flow chart) will show the auditor and the management team the inter-relationship and interaction of the business processes. Once these business processes are defined, Executive Management should define specific measures, or goals, that are used to monitor and measure the effectiveness and efficiency of each of the identified business processes and, more importantly, to use the analysis of process performance to develop action plans for the improvement of the processes and company performance. This process is better known as the "PLAN-DO-CHECK-ACT" (PDCA) process.
Interpreting and applying the standard in this manner provides a more understandable reason to implement a quality management system that can, and will, provide the company with the best opportunity for improvement.
The Business Process Map becomes the cornerstone of the company management system. See the Foster Associates Inc. website (http://www.lcfiso.com/) for additional information and training options.
It is important for every business to meet the standard requirements for quality management system. In doing so, they are not only satisfying the demands of their customers but they are also doing a big favor to their company as well. Acquiring ISO certification is beneficial in many ways for any business that’s why many are opting to get certified.
ReplyDelete-Barton Wilson