Streamline ISO Consultants

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DRY ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems – Don’t Repeat Yourself

Today I came across an interesting TLA (three letter acronym for the uninitiated) that is used in Software Engineering called DRY – Don’t Repeat Yourself. The basis of the principle is to reduce the repetition of information by ensuring every piece of knowledge has a single, unambiguous, authoritative representation within a system. Basically a single source of truth.DRY ISO9001 QMS Don't Repeat Yourself

The application of this methodology into ISO 9001 Quality, ISO 45001 Safety and ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems provides for a more maintainable, extensible system that is easy to navigate and locate information.

So the next time you are preparing or developing a quality management system (QMS), safety management system (SMS) or environmental management system (EMS) ask yourself – is it DRY or is it WET (Write Everything Twice).

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Which should you use – ISO 9001, Six Sigma or Lean?

The answer – all three.  They are all customer-focused quality methodologies that are underpinned by a requirement for continual improvement, however all three play separate, invaluable roles within a Hybrid Quality Management System Framework.

The ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System standard serves as an overall framework for business operations (akin to the Baldridge Quality Framework in the USA) and includes such things as requirements for leadership, risk management, resource allocation, product and service delivery, documentation, auditing, corrective action, and continual improvement.

Six Sigma is a data-driven process improvement methodology based on reducing defects (and associated costs), whilst Lean is focused on reducing waste and improving efficiencies and speed. Six Sigma and Lean are actually key tools that can be used to support clause 8 Operation of ISO 9001, with outputs of these methods resulting in Improvements as required by clause 10 of ISO 9001 Continual Improvement.

A good Quality Management System should start with a strategic plan which includes a vision statement and clearly defined goals, as well as SMARTER (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound, Evaluated and Reviewed) objectives to support the delivery of the strategic plan goals (these goals have been achieved when associated objectives have been completed).

Six Sigma and Lean methods can then be utilised to provide improvements to increase speed, minimise defects and reduce waste associated with Product and Service Delivery – enabling the achievement of the established objectives and fulfillment of the goals defined in the strategic plan.

Ultimately, this means faster, better quality outputs, reduced costs, increased customer satisfaction and continual improvement for the organisation.

The Hybrid Quality Management System Framework diagram below has been developed to clearly demonstrate the inter-relationship of ISO 9001 with Six Sigma and Lean.

The following colour code system has been utilised:

  1. Red – Strategic Plan
  2. Orange – Smart Objectives to support the Strategic Plan. Also referenced at:
    • ISO 9001:2015 Clause 6 Planning (establish objectives)
    • ISO 9001:2015 Clause 9 Performance Evaluation (performance against established objectives is reviewed)
  3. Purple – Six Sigma Methodology
  4. Green – Lean Methodology

How Streamline can help

Streamline consultants can help you design, implement or improve Quality Management Systems to comply with ISO 9001 and utilise lean and six sigma project methodologies to achieve breakthrough change and business improvements.

ISO 9001 2015

Our trained and experienced ISO Consultants have a 100% track record achieving certification for our clients and we guarantee your ISO 9001:2015 quality management system will get certified by a JAS-ANZ accredited Certification Body.

Contact Us Today

If you’d like more information, or to request a Quick Quote please use the form to the right and one of our ISO Consultants will contact you within one business day. Alternatively, you are welcome to contact us directly by emailing [email protected] or calling:

  • Brisbane 07 3667 8280
  • Sydney 02 8315 7780
  • Melbourne 03 9034 3990

We look forward to hearing from you and answering any questions you may have.

#ISOConsultant #SixSigma #Lean #LeanISO9001QMS #QMSHelp #QMSConsultant #LeanSixSigma

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Looking for an ISO 9001 Consultant? Check the 10 Key Requirements First!

If you’re thinking about ISO 9001 certification then you are probably considering whether or not to engage an ISO 9001 Consultant to help develop, implement and internally audit the Quality Management System. Do you really need help?

The answer is as follows:

If you have in-house resources with the relevant experience and competence to build a best practice management system to meet the requirements of ISO 9001:2015 then there is every chance you may not need to engage an ISO Consultant to help build your management system. You could simply engage a Certification Body to undertake a Stage 1 documentation audit and action any Improvement Requirements prior to the Stage 2 Audit (certification audits are done in two stages).

ISO 9001 Quality Consultant

If, on the other hand, you want a fully documented, best practice management system, that has been developed in alignment with your existing business processes (making the standard work for the business instead of the business working to the standard)  AND a guarantee that you will be certified first time, every time, then you should engage the services of an experienced, qualified ISO 9001 Consultant.

Remember: ISO 9001 provides a framework for continual improvement, and badly designed Quality Management Systems can introduce excessive administrative overheads (for example extra processes, a barrage of unnecessary forms etc) that act like a hand-brake on the business – definitely not an improvement.

Government Funding Grants for ISO 9001 Certification

Did you know that many Australian businesses are actually eligible for help with ISO 9001 Certification through a government-funded Business Growth Grant? Click HERE for more information.

10 key requirements to check for when choosing an ISO 9001 Consultant

Engaging an ISO 9001 Consultant can mean a significant financial and time investment for your business, so it is important to choose the right one. Check the ten key requirements below before signing off on any proposals or contracts.

ISO Consultant decision time frame: 5 days.

The ten key requirements to check before you engage an ISO 9001 Consultant

  1. ISO Certification – do they actually hold ISO 9001 certification themselves?

    Ensure they are certified by a JAS-ANZ Accredited Certification Body

  2. ISO Certification Consultant qualifications

    Have they completed any formal training and are they qualified to be offering consultancy services?

  3. Can they offer a Certified First Time, Every Time, Guarantee?

    Streamline ISO Consultants work as part of your team to deliver bespoke, compliant (100% success rate) and cost-effective management systems that put your organisation on the path to continual improvement and business excellence.

  4. Industry experience – how long have they been consulting for?

    What industries have they consulted to previously?

  5. Experience designing ISO management systems to businesses of your size

    Small, medium, large and enterprise Quality Management Systems can look very different.

  6. Knowledge of lean methods

    Ensure the developed ISO management system improves business performance and does not stifle it.

  7. Insurances – Professional Indemnity and Public Liability

    Do they hold Public Liability and Professional indemnity insurance?

  8. Client Referrals

    Do they have an extensive list of satisfied, repeat and long-term clients that are happy to provide glowing testimonials?

  9. Certification Body Referrals

    Can a number of JAS-ANZ accredited certification bodies attest to the quality of the management systems and consultancy services offered?

  10. Time in the industry

    How long has the ISO Consultant been in business (beware of fly-by-nighters)?

  11. Understanding of technology

    Are they able to set up the management system using cloud-based software solutions or tailor the management system to align with your existing software platforms?

    ISO Consultant Checklist

For a free downloadable ISO Consultant Checklist CLICK HERE

What to watch out for when choosing an ISO 9001 Consultant

ISO 9001 Consultants that have worked in a “Quality” or “Safety” role within a large organisation. This does not necessarily mean they are able to design a good small to medium business Management System. In fact, sometimes this results in a rebadged, overweight quality management system that the small business will struggle to support.

If an ISO consultant insists you choose a specific certification body then alarm bells should start ringing. This may mean that the consultant and the Certification Body have some sort of financial or beneficial relationship which can result in a number of conflict of interest issues including:

  • the system might be deficient and the ISO 9001 audit could be completed softly due to the relationship between consultant and auditor (a problem that may not present now but may cause problems if/when you change Certification Bodies), or
  • you may be paying too much for the Certification Body audit.

Always make sure:

  • you choose a JAS-ANZ accredited Certification Body (we recommend obtaining a few proposals – SEE HERE for more information),
  • you aren’t locked into a specific Certification Body just because you engage an ISO consultant.

How Streamline can help

Streamline ISO 9001 Consultants can design, develop and implement a certification-ready Quality Management System from the ground up to meet ISO 9001 requirements. If you already have an existing management system in place we will help you integrate ISO 9001:2015 into your current management system (eg ISO 45001 Safety or ISO 14001 Environmental) to form an Integrated Management System (IMS).

ISO 9001 2015

Our trained and experienced ISO Certification Consultants have a 100% track record achieving certification for our clients and we guarantee your ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System will get certified by a JAS-ANZ accredited Certification Body.

Streamline ISO Certification Consultants can also help develop, implement and internally audit other ISO Management Systems such as:

Contact Us Today

Please use the form to the right and one of our ISO Consultants will contact you within one business day. Alternatively, you are welcome to contact us directly by emailing [email protected] or by calling:

More Information

  • If you still aren’t sure whether or not you need an ISO 9001 Consultant then it may be worth completing a Gap Analysis Audit.
  • For information on what is required for ISO 9001 Certification CLICK HERE
  • To see what ISO 9001 Certification Costs CLICK HERE
  • Did you know our ISO Consultants can also help with Smartsheet solutions for ISO Certification? For more information CLICK HERE
  • Feeling overwhelmed and just need some straight answers? Check our FAQ’s page HERE

Brisbane ISO Consultants

Level 14, 167 Eagle St
Brisbane Queensland 4000
Phone: 07 3667 8280
Email: [email protected]

Sydney ISO Consultants

Level 5, 20 Bond Street,
Sydney NSW 2000
Phone: 02 8315 7780
Email: [email protected]

Melbourne ISO Consultants

Level 8, 350 Collins Street
Melbourne, Victoria 3000
Phone: 03 9034 3990
Email: [email protected]

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KEY ISO ARTICLES

Articles, Deep Dives & More
Frequently Asked Questions
Quality Quotes
Funding Grants for ISO Certification
ISO Consultants
Strategic Planning - Mystical Art?
ISO Certification Auditors
How to get ISO 9001 Certification
ISO Certification Cost
How to tell if your ISO Cert is fake
4-year-olds and Root Cause Analysis
Fast ISO 9001 Certification
The Ultimate Guide to ISO 9001 Audit
Certification - How Much and How Long?
Who's Interested in a Party?
How to use Smartsheet for ISO
Smarter Quality Objectives
Local Government QMS
Quality Assurance, Quality Control or QMS
ISO Certification in Sydney
ISO Certification in Melbourne
ISO Certification in Brisbane

QUICKLINKS TO ISO INFO

ISO 9001 Quality Management
ISO 45001 Health & Safety
ISO 14001 Environment
ISO 50001 Energy Management
ISO 55001 Asset Management
ISO 17025 Testing & Calibration
ISO 27001 Information Security
ISO 22000 HACCP Food Safety

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