Where are the new frontiers?
Why is ISO 9000 so hot? The ISO 9000 logic goes as follows:
Whether one agrees with the above logic, the fact is that ISO 9000 quality series of standards through acceptance and usage is becoming an important part of the global business landscape.
You may be considering ISO registration to improve your organisation's efficiency, effectiveness, or economics. Either this reason, or, your customer or your competitor is already pursuing ISO registration.
What Is Driving International ISO 9000 Adoption? ISO 9000 is like a virus. Its adoption and acceptance is seemingly growing in an uncontrooled fashion because of several reasons, and some of these are:
Always remember that quality is a journey, not a destination. What is considered quality today, may not be the same tomorrow, or day after. You have to continuously and relentlessly keep on improving upon your management, operations, products, processes and services, to remain a quality organization.
The road to quality is long and bumpy. The sea is choppy and turbulent. It is imperative that one understands all that is needed to be known, before embarking on the journey. It is necessary to know the quality terms...click, and all other activities that are so akin
to the quality movement anywhere, and at anytime. There should be a clear distinction between all the concepts, such as (click here...) Quality Assurance(QA), Quality Control(QC) and Total Quality Management (TQM), and of-course, the term 'quality' itself.
Quality Assurance refers to the management system of an organization which provides assurance that the design, manufacture, inspection and testing have been correctly carried out to the required standard and provide evidence that this has, in reality, taken place. On the other hand, Quality Control refers to the actual physical actions, that is, inspection and tests.
Total Quality Management is a management approach to an organization centered on quality, based on the participation of ALL its members and aiming at long-term success through customer satisfaction, and benefits to the members of the organization and to society as a whole. Quality is the totality of features and characteristics of a product or service that bear on its
ability to satisfy stated or implied needs.
Several important points can be derived from these concepts. Long-term success, not an (click here...) instant quick-fix, through customer satisfaction should be an organization's goal ans this is predicated on the continuous pursuit of quality, everyone's participation, and value to society. The customers' requirements must be identified,
defined, and clarified. Procedures and systems are than established to monitor, control, and improve those variables that directly and indirectly are involved in the production of uniform products and the delivery of consistent services. Which means that the quality systems must be in place. ISO 9000...click specifies requirements for
quality systems, which are defined by ISO Standard 8402 as: "The organizational structure, responsibilites, procedures, processes, and resources needed to implement quality management."
The intent of these standards is simple; they require that a basic quality system be in place to assure customers that suppliers have the capabilities and systems to provide quality products and services. ISO 9000 provides a foundation for continuous improvement. Documenting the quality system clarifies how the company really works, enables critical process measurements, and facilitates process improvement and increased customer satisfaction.
At present, ISO 9000 has been adopted as a national standard in nearly 100 countries. Products or services purchased from an ISO 9000 registered company guarantee that consistent quality standards have been met.
ISO 9001 is the most comprehensive of the standards, because it covers product or service design and development, manufacturing, installation and customer service. ISO 9002 covers all of ISO 9001, with the exception of design and development.
QS-9000 is a superset of ISO 9001 that has been adopted by the United States automobile manufacturers Chrysler Corporation, Ford Motor Company, and General Motors Corporation. More than 100 additional auditable requirements were added to ISO 9001 to
further satisify specific requirements of auto industry customers. The "Big Three" requires QS-9000 registration of their Tier 1 suppliers to be established by the end of 1996, or customer assessment/audit of the Tier 1 suppliers. Obviously, the auto makers do not wish to assess and audit their suppliers on a regular basis, so they most likely will use only QS-9000 registered suppliers.
QS-9000 will have a significant impact on manufacturing in the United States. The entire supply chain (i.e., the Tier 2 suppliers and so on) will be affected, and either required to register, or be able to withstand rigorous quality audits on an on-going basis (i.e., establish and maintain QS-9000 compliance). Joining with the auto makers, Freightliner Corp., Mack Trucks, Inc., Navistar International Transportation Corp., PACCAR Inc., and Volvo GM Heavy Truck Corp. already have agreed to adopt QS-9000.
A company's compliance with ISO 9001 ensures optimal Quality Assurance, which leads to lower costs, greater customer satisfaction and higher profits.
ISO 9000 registration certifies to customers that consistent quality standards are met and superior products and services result. More and more countries and companies require their suppliers to become registered. Because of this, companies which achieved ISO 9000 registration early find that demand for their products and services has increased both domestically and internationally. Dun and Bradstreet now collects and reports ISO 9000 registration status.
ISO 9000 registration is now required in the European community for 35 product categories. New required categories are added continually. Japan has also adopted ISO 9000 registration requirements for companies wishing to market their products or services in Japan. The United States Department of Defense, which has always enforced quality standards from its suppliers is switching to ISO 9000 as well.
All over the world, in large as well as tiny countries, large as well as tiny organisations - and beyond - we encounter these questions:
What does excellence really mean?
How can I 'exceed' myself?
How can I become truly creative?
What is real motivation all about?
What is real quality?
Some people suggest that technology is what it is all about. If we do some reflection, we will disagree with this notion, because technological breakthroughs are purely
and simply of, by, about, and for the people. On the other hand, people are only as creative, effective, and happy as the quality...click of their minds.
The future clearly lies in the frontier - the space beetween the ears. A quality revolution on this frontier will be the sole source of better lives, better products and packaging, better processes, better services, better
human relationships, greater richness, and riches for total functioning as whole and growing organisational culture.
The OpeningJobs, jobs, jobs are the major public-policy issues in the 1990s.
Economic competitiveness has displaced military competitiveness.
Competitiveness = Quality.
U.S. growth is flat. Overseas, especially, in the South East Asia, economic growth is strong.
ISO 9000 is an internationally accepted standard for accessing markets, ensuring quality products, and building trust among trade partners.
We can explain the chronic questions, such as:
How to choose a quality auditor?
How to run an effective preassessment audit?
How to determine which standards apply to you and your company?
How to work effectively with quality auditors?
We can assist you(click...)makhdoom@pacific.net.sg in knowing the steps and preparations required for getting registered
and accredited. We shall help you understand the language, process, systems, technology, and requirements of ISO 9000. And, if you intend to organize or conduct a course on the appreciation of ISO 9000 series, the best way to get started at a low cost, internal auditing,
registration procedures, and assessor/lead assessor course, we shall be glad to offer you our expertise and experience. You may use My Mailing Form to contact me.(click)My Mailing Form. You may get in touch
with Makhdoom International Management Centre.
.Dissolution of the former Soviet Union.
Global emphasis on economic competitiveness.
Economic power of the European Community.
The emergence of Newly Industrialised Economies (NIEs), such as Singapore...click, in Southeast Asia.
Universal acceptance of ISO 9000.
World-wide emphasis on quality...click for staying competitive and for survival in the marketplace.
U.S. intent to supplant military quality standards with ISO 9000.
What is the ISO 9000 Standard?
ISO 9000 is the name of a family of international standards which defines a Quality Assurance System. It is a non-prescriptive standard that does not specify how a firm's Quality Assurance processes must occur, but mandates that a company define appropriate quality standards, document its processes and prove that it consistently adheres to both.
The elements that make up ISO 9000 certification include:
An effective quality system.
Valid measurements and properly calibrated test equipment.
Appropriate statistical techniques.
A method for identifying and tracing products, including adequate record-keeping.
An adequate process for handling, storing, packaging and delivering products.
Adequate processes for inspecting and testing as well as for dealing with nonconforming items.
An internal audit system, including concrete evidence of compliance.
Adequate training and experience among employees.
Should My Company Implement the ISO 9000 Standard?
Benefits accrue in two main arenas: productivity gains and competitive advantage.
ISO 14000 : Environmental Management System
ISO 14001 is an emerging standard entitled 'EnvironmentalManagement Systems - Specification'. Although it has no formalrelationship to the ISO 9000 family of documents, it is structuredmuch like the ISO 9001 standard. A central element of the ISO14001 standard is the Environmental Policy definedby an organization's top management. A system is then definedthat ensures that the environmental policy is carried out by theorganization. This involves planning, implementation and operations,checking and corrective action, and management review.
The Need For Formal Quality Systems
The Historical Development of Quality Systems
A Comprehensive Bibliography of ISO 9000 Publications
A Checklist For ISO Implementation And Planning
Makhdoom's World Of Transport And Logisticsh
Makhdoom's World Of Maritime Transportation
Makhdoom's Quality Quest