On Track With ISO9004
ISO9004:2009 is the guidance document for ISO9001. It explains the paragraphs of the standard in reasonably plain English and takes the implementation of the standard beyond compliance. It’s not only an important standard for anyone implementing the ISO9001 quality standard, it also provides some really useful guidance for anyone who just wants to look at their business with fresh eyes and improve performance.
The standard defines eight key quality management principles that are fundamental to the success of any business:
- Customer focus
- Leadership
- Involvement of people
- Process approach
- System approach to management
- Continual improvement
- Decision making based on facts
- Mutually beneficial supplier relationships
Each month we take one of the principles and look at the key benefits and how they can be applied in any business.
Principle 7 – Factual approach to decision making
Last month we looked at continual improvement, and in order to demonstrate tangible improvement, data is an essential ingredient. It helps to define ‘where we are now’ and the goals for the future. Data can be used to identify weak areas and track progress too.
Key benefits:
- Informed decisions.
- An increased ability to demonstrate the effectiveness of past decisions through reference to factual records.
- Increased ability to review, challenge and change opinions and decisions.
Applying the ISO9004 principles of continual improvement should lead to:
- Ensuring that data and information are sufficiently accurate and reliable.
- Making data accessible to those who need it.
- Analysing data and information using valid methods.
- Making decisions and taking action based on factual analysis, balanced with experience and intuition.
To find out more about the principles of good quality management and how it can help your business, drop us an email or call us on 0333 321 0131.