9 QMS Pitfalls
For those businesses without an existing QMS or ISO certification, the process can be intimidating – avoiding these nine missteps can smooth the way!
- 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.
- Uncommitted management. No QMS can function effectively if upper management is not supportive and involved.
- 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!
- Rushing. Ensure that your QMS is well-developed and offers provable results before charging head-on into certification.
- 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!
- 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.
- 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!
- 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! - 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!