Finding and choosing the right ISO consultant is an important decision for an organisation to make, especially for those looking for a consultant for the first time.
Organisations use an ISO consultant to help them design and implement a quality management system (QMS) with the objective of achieving or maintaining certification to a required standard. Some organisations even retain their consultant after implementation to act as their designated management representative or internal auditor. The value of having an ISO consultant cannot be understated, as they have the potential to be extremely influential in regards to achieving and maintaining ISO certification. Therefore, choosing the right consultant for your business should be a thorough and well-thought-out process.
To make things a little easier, here are some key considerations that you will need to make during your search for the right consultant:
- Understand your reasons for hiring a consultant – Before you begin your search for the right ISO consultant, you need to be clear on the reasons behind your search. This will make other key considerations easier.
- Look for experience and relevance – It’s important to select a consultant that has the relevant experience to help your business achieve certification. Look for experience within your industry, management systems and specific ISO standards.
- Establish a good working relationship - Your ISO consultant will spend a lot of time within your organisation and gain close access to your processes and staff. Therefore, you will need to build a solid rapport and mutual trust with each other.
- Costs – Budgets are never unlimited. So, when you choose your ISO consultant, you need to ensure that their costs are in-line with your spending allowances.
- Gather references and investigate past work – Try to gain an insight into how your ISO consultant works by gathering references from organisations they’ve worked with in the past or take a look at case studies they may have. By learning about their credentials, you'll be in a better position to make an informed decision.
Talking these six points into consideration will help you to choose an ISO consultant. If you are looking for an effective, ISO consultant that you can trust, NPT Management Systems can help you. Click below to learn more about our ISO consultant services and how we can help you.
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If you would like us to help your organisation design and implement an effective QMS to help achieve or maintain ISO certification, then please full out and submit an enquiry form here.
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December was a busy month for the whole team here at NPT Management Systems. Not only did we have the big guy in red to worry about, but we also conducted surveillance audits for three different companies.
SpiralWeld, a Southampton-based company that provides specialist engineering services for a variety of different industries. David Store Navigational Management a Hampshire-based navigational management service provider within the superyacht industry and Southern Coating Contractors, another Southampton-based company working in the grit blasting and specialist coating industry all received surveillance audits to ensure they were adhering the principles and processes implemented throughout their individual ISO certifications.
We are incredibly proud to announce that all three companies passed their surveillance audits without a single non-conformance. Meaning all of the systems that were put in place during their ISO certification and creation of their quality management systems are still being performed and conducted effectively.
These are the latest success stories that NPT Management Systems are pleased to share and hope they are not the last. We look forward to continued work and a healthy relationship with SpiralWeld, David Store Navigational Management and Southern Coating Contractors in the future.
If you require any assistance with a quality management system or with achieving ISO certification, please do not hesitate to contact NPT Management Systems today.
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Baker Trayte Marine Ltd, a company located in Portsmouth, Hampshire that specialises in a variety of marine-based work recently undertook a surveillance audit with us to ensure that the quality management system (QMS) that we helped to implement three years ago was being adhered to.
As a result of achieving ISO 9001 accreditation, Baker Trayte Marine has been successful in being awarded a number of high-value contracts. It came as no surprise, then, when the team here at NPT Management Systems got the call to conduct yet another ISO audit for Baker Trayte. Ensuring that they continue to effectively carry out the QMS that we successfully helped to implement in 2016.
We are extremely pleased to announce that Baker Trayte has once again passed their surveillance audit without a single non-conformance raised – showing that the business is working hard and striving to conduct the numerous processed and procedures outlined in their QMS.
This is the latest success that we have achieved with Baker Trayte Marine Ltd, and sincerely hope it is not the last!
If you require any assistance with a quality management system or with achieving ISO 9001 certification, please do not hesitate to contact NPT Management Systems today.
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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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