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For those businesses without an existing QMS or ISO certification, the process can be intimidating – avoiding these nine missteps can smooth the way!

1. Avoid overcomplicating your system. Documentation, forms, and other parts of the QMS are supposed to help daily business, not slow it down or make it harder.
2. Uncommitted management. No QMS can function effectively if upper management is not supportive and involved.
3. Total reliance on one individual. “Dumping” development, execution, and maintenance of your QMS onto one employee is the opposite of the systemic structure that a QMS entails!
4. Rushing. Ensure that your QMS is well-developed and offers provable results before charging head-on into certification.
5. Copy-pasting other companies’ systems. Just like no two businesses are exactly alike, no two QMS should be exactly alike; build around unique strengths and challenges for best results!
6. Insufficient training. Robust training and employee awareness campaigns are a must to ensure awareness of what the QMS is and how it works at all levels of a business.
7. Lack of customer awareness. Customer satisfaction is a key aspect of a QMS; being aware of your customers’ wants and needs should be a no-brainer!
8. Improper corrective action. Though complex and often frustrating, Root Cause Analysis is a cornerstone of a thorough QMS. Not sure how to approach it?
   Check out PJR’s webinar on the topic!
9. Poor internal auditor. Be sure to choose an internal auditor who is experienced and well-trained in your industry and is properly qualified for your certification standard of choice!

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