Beyond ISO 9001: An exploration of the implementation process of a quality management system

After implementing a Quality Management System, companies have found not only improved quality in products but also greater efficiency and effectiveness of their employees, leading to increased profits, and increased business success, also finding that the return on investment vastly outweighs the time it takes to implement. This study combined quality management implementation and human performance improvement to develop a streamlined method for implementing a quality management system in any industry sector where rapid change is constant. This research is focused on providing a deeper understanding of why the current process of implementing an ISO 9001 quality management system is so time-consuming, identifying potential ways to expedite the implementation of an ISO 9001 QMS in particular, a standard with broad application across industries. Empirical research suggests that the time spent implementing an ISO 9001 QMS is woven into the cost associated with the time it takes to become certified and to separate the two would undervalue the importance of the other. This study successfully combined quality management implementation and human performance improvement to develop a streamlined model for implementing a quality management system in any industry sector utilizing ISO 9001. After three rounds of questionnaires panel participants reached a consensus. The 14-step industry standard for implementation was changed. Those changes included (a) combine training with ISO awareness and establishing an implementation team, (b) adding an optional organization Needs Analysis, (c) adding a certified ISO consultant to interpret the standard, (d) adding templates to the documentation planning and document control process, (e) adding a management review meeting after step 5 (Gap analysis), (f) removing step 6 (Create implementation plan), and (g) removing step 12 (Pre-assessment audit). A quicker ISO 9001 implementation in industry can result in close attention given to features that impact human performance improvement. Because of the exploratory nature of this study, the researcher would recommend the model be tested in a real world scenario with continuous feedback among those performing the implementation. The results of this qualitative Delphi study are intended to support the development of a streamlined approach to ISO 9001 implementation that can be used by practitioners in the fields of quality management and human performance improvement to solve performance problems encountered during ISO 9001 implementation.