It should come as no surprise that we at NPT Management Systems are wholeheartedly in favour of ISO 9001 certification and frequently extol the virtues of quality management systems.

We believe that a solid QMS can better any organisation by improving the structure and internal processes involved in the daily running of the business.

However, this stance isn’t reserved for companies seeking to boost profits, drive revenue and increase their bottom line. In fact, it can be just as useful for non-profit NGOs as well.

Become an ISO 9001 Certified NGO

ISO 9001 helps organisations to operate more efficiently, providing insight on how to improve processes and ultimately enhance their productive output. Meanwhile, ISO 9001 can also have a positive impact on employees, promoting leadership and company culture as a result.

What’s more, an organisation that can boast ISO 9001 accreditation will not only appear more professional to the outside world but also present a more attractive and reliable proposition to other businesses, increasing the likelihood of partnership opportunities in the future.

Pursuing ISO 9001 for Nonprofits

While accreditation is undoubtedly a big step forward for nonprofits looking to step up, ISO 9001 certification does come at a cost and some NGOs may be averse to the parting with funds in order to attain this accreditation.

However, with that being said, ISO 9001 certification for a nonprofit should be looked at more as an investment than an outgoing. Its results can not only reap rewards long after the fact in terms of streamlined efficiency, but they can also lead to new business and help secure additional funding as a result.

For more information on ISO 9001 for nonprofits, call NPT Management Systems on 02380 659 867 or click the button below to drop us an email today.

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Defined as a formalised system that documents procedures, processes and responsibilities for achieving quality policies and objectives, a quality management system (QMS) helps coordinate and lead an organisation’s behaviour to keep in line with customer and regulatory requirements. Improving its efficiency and effectiveness on a continual basis.

The most prominent approach to quality management systems is ISO 9001:2015, the international standard which specifies requirements for a QMS. Often, many people use the term ‘QMS’ to describe the ISO 9001 standard or the group of documents that make up the QMS, however, it actually refers to the system as a whole. The documents only serve to describe the system.

Organisations choose to implement quality management systems for a range of purposes; such as:

• Reducing costs
• Improving systems and processes
• Decreasing waste
• Engaging employees
• Enabling and identifying training opportunities
• Creating organisation-wide goals

Elements of a Quality Management System

Each element of QMS helps to achieve the overall goals of reaching the requirements set by the organisation and its customers. Despite quality management systems needing to address an organisation’s individual needs, each one should consist of the following:

• Organisations quality policy and objectives
• Quality manual
• Data management
• Internal processes
• Procedures, instructions and records
• Improvement opportunities
• Quality analysis
• Customer satisfaction

For professional advice on quality management systems and guidance through the ISO certification process, call NPT Management Systems today on 02380 659 867 or contact us via our online enquiry form.

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The role of an ISO consultant is to guide you through the ISO certification process efficiently and effectively, armed with the knowledge and know-how to get the job done well.

Using these professional skills, an ISO consultant will be able to carefully and confidently lead your business into the promised land, hopefully culminating in successful ISO 9001 certification.

But is a dedicated ISO 9001 consultant a necessary part of this process? We think so - and here's exactly why.

Do I need a consultant to get ISO 9001 certification?

Naturally, the answer to this question will largely depend on the individual and their specific circumstances, particularly the time available and the expertise of the people involved.

The truth is that, while you don't categorically require a dedicated consultant to help you achieve ISO 9001 certification, for most companies, it's highly advisable to hire one.

ISO consultants are typically equipped with qualifications such as Lead Auditor and Lead Implementer certification, backed by internal audit training and first-hand experience.

Additionally, ISO 9001 consultants will also be well-versed in project management, with the relevant transferable skills and experience necessary to tackle your requirements head-on.

Why do I need an ISO 9001 consultant?

ISO 9001 can make for some murky waters to wade through, especially if you're not familiar with this subject.

Blindly embarking into those murky waters without knowing what lies ahead can not only result in mistakes, problems and issues arising, it can also translate into a very expensive, time-consuming process for your business.

Can't I just assign a member of staff to this task?

Stretching your own resources to cover the ISO 9001 accreditation process isn't the wisest decision in terms of efficiency.

Assigning the task to a member of staff can be counterproductive and may give poor results in both the short and long term.

As a result, the money you save from not outsourcing can be quickly eaten up in-house by a process that takes twice as long to complete and even longer to correct when it's done wrong.

The impact of DIY ISO accreditation

Companies that don't hire a dedicated ISO consultant to handle the ISO 9001 process are likely to see it negatively impact on their resources, including both time and money.

Even if the task of ISO 9001 accreditation is assigned to a specific member of staff, the task itself can snowball and end up monopolising that person's time.

Like any specialist job, hiring a professional to handle the nitty-gritty can be a godsend, while the alternative could very easily end in disaster.

Investing in a professional will achieve professional results. Conversely, a stab in the dark from an amateur will likely achieve amateur results.

Go pro for ISO

In a nutshell, the ISO 9001 process is the perfect of example of the phrase 'just because you can, that doesn't mean you should'.

While certain tasks may be doable with a can-do, DIY mindset, this is one area of business that is probably best left to the professionals.

For professional advice on quality management systems and guidance through the ISO certification process, call NPT Management Systems today on 02380 659 867 or contact us via our online enquiry form.

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