ISO - A Journey In Itself

Our Organization was certified ISO 9001:2008 recently . It has always strived to put its best foot forward. It highly values delivering best in class solutions to the clients and never compromises on quality. No wonder we were successful in being certified ISO 9001:2008.

The journey towards ISO wasn't easy though. We underwent loads of planning and estimation before we ventured for it. The QA team analyzed what it takes for an organization to be Certified ISO 9001:2008. Extensive study of the clauses was made to comprehend the in-depth essence of the Standard and how we could derive the best from the Standard towards streamlining the existing processes.

The Management was very vehement about being certified by one of the finest leading certifying body . Might be because they already knew it wasn’t a joke getting certified by them. So having set a high mission catalyzed the QA team to be more resolute towards realizing it.

Before going in for any external consultants to analyze our strengths and weaknesses we wanted to have an idea of where we stand and how far we still need to traverse. Having on deck the target date “By the end of November” endowed by the Management, the ISO Awareness presentation/training was rolled out by the end of July. The presentation served as an insight of the need for a new monster (ISO) for the employees and also opened doors in realizing how vital it is to comply with standards that would fetch business, recognition and order.

The presentation briefed why ISO is the order of the day, what benefits it can offer to the organization and the resources in the organization, what QMS is all about, what do the clauses signify, essence of Process Areas etc... This served as a stepping stone in the journey of ISO.

Having taken our first baby step, the next was gap analysis. Major process areas were identified. It’s always been tough for people to identify their process areas or rather understand what it all means though they have been doing it for years together. Though we dint encounter much of a difficulty in this arena, still we had to tread our way through. Those activities that churned out an output and gobbled up an input were identified and those regular vital activities that aided business were also spotted out to be Process areas.

We ended up with a large number of Processes. Segregating the vital few from trivial many were tough but we realized most of the processes only seemed to be the sub-process of crucial few Process Areas. Then came the process of determining the key inputs and the resulting outputs for each activity and the process involved in it. It was a nightmare aligning an already pumping process.
Once we wrapped up with this work, we already had a little visibility of areas we were lacking in and where help has to be rendered. A gap analysis checklist was prepared for each process and the flow of process was studied. The Gap Analysis served as a major eye opener since we took one process at a time and dint tussle the entire monster at once. Flowcharts for the process areas were prepared and the interaction between the processes was addressed. We also started working on those processes that needed serious nourishment.

Appropriate templates for the processes were prepared and also supporting documents/SOP for the processes was fabricated. We also systematized Team Meeting once every week where all the teams gather to discuss their work status, ongoing activities & new ideas. This opened new avenues of fresh pools of ideas.

ISO Kick-off Presentation

This being the first presentation you are going to give on ISO 9001:2008 ensure that the presentation is more lively and pleasant. keep the presentation lite and not too theoretical since you need those resources to help you out in your implementation too.Dont kill them b4 the bill.

Here are the major areas you need to concentrate when you are venturing on your ISO kickoff and awareness presentation.

1. What is ISO 9001?
2. Why ISO 9001:2008 QMS: requirements
3. Benefits of ISO
4. Why is it important for your organization to get ISO 9001:2008?
5. How will ISO help you in your job ?
6. ISO 9001:2008 QMS process model
7. What is QMS?
8. quality management principles
9. Clauses of ISO 9001:2008 at a glance
10. Steps towards achieving ISO 9001
11. Process Approach
12. Documentation Pyramid
13. 6 mandatory procedures - overview
14. Implementation table

Roadmap for ISO 9001:2008

Since My ED has told I am jobless in my office, I have resolved to write this post on how much work I have put in to get My Organization ISO 9001:2008 certified. Just to remind them that I am relaxing for a while until CMMI my next target :-(

When I was assigned with the responsibility of getting My Organization ISO certified by end of November I was startled as how I am going to single handedly achieve the set target. I was clueless were to start and what to do.

To my relief , My ED asked me to prepare a presentation on ISO Awareness and Kickoff, I don’t think you will be surprised to know it also had a target date in a short span. Well I started off the mission of Information Gathering. Since I knew nothing much about ISO , I ended up with a swamp of ISO magazines ,cookbooks ,roadmaps, eBooks all preaching ISO as a weirdest nightmare.

The first thing I remembered reading solemnly was the ISO manual. It was totally Greek and Latin to me. I still wonder how my ED and MD trusted me and thrust this project on me. I used to giggle within myself Priya you are counting your days in this office any time they might chuck you out.
That was when I decided we shouldn’t let go this opportunity and we need to prove our self and prove worthy of the Management’s trust. I started collecting all possible facts about ISO.. Since My ED had already told me what he expects out of the Awareness presentation it was quiet easy to race against a known target.

I decided that I should not bore these guys with lengthy explanations on how ISO evolved and tiresome description of the ISO clauses. So I wanted them to realize how serious a task we have in hand yet not be taken aback of a new monster which they need to adhere to. I made the presentation with more of pictures illustrating the need for ISO and QMS so they can grasp it easier. My presentation threw more light on QMS and process areas since that the crux of ISO.

Once I was almost done with the presentation I sent it through to ED for his approval. He wanted it to be even more fun packed and asked me to include a lot of jokes and sent some jokes himself. I was wondering where am I going to relate these jokes with the serious ISO stuff I have prepared. Well I had no other option.. But I have to say I enjoyed preparing this presentation since I got to learn new stuff and I am doing the job that I always wanted to do. I was all set for the presentation with my roadmap plan as ready in hand and so nervous to showcase what I did all these days.

The moment came when everyone were eagerly waiting for me to deliver my presentation. That was when I received an IP msg from my ED saying , “Priya why don’t you fit this joke somewhere in your ppt , its awesome”. I really din’t know what I had to reply him . I told “ Please don’t make me even more nervous, I am already trembling” . He replied “ hahahaa ok ok”

I started taking my presentation and people were engrossed in it . The times when I realized the audience were distracted by continuous gyan , the jokes came to my rescue to bring back these peoples attention. Only then I realized how handy was the idea given by My ED.