Quality Plus Inc. has extensive experience and knowledge of the leading safety, environmental and quality management systems. In fact, many of our articles and books profile a wide range of the benefits and practical application of management systems.
Simply stated, a management system is the framework of processes and procedures used to ensure that an organization can fulfill all tasks required to achieve its objectives.
For instance, a quality management system enables organizations to improve their quality performance through a process of continuous improvement. An oversimplification is the "Plan, Do, Check, Act" model of continuous improvement. A more complete system would include accountability (an assignment of personal responsibility) and a schedule for activities to be completed, as well as auditing tools to implement corrective actions in addition to scheduled activities, creating an upward spiral of continuous improvement. Emphasis would also be placed on the quality of those initiatives and the goals an organization sets to achieve their defined objectives.
Implementing an effective management system, or an integregated HSEQ (Health, Safety, Environment and Quality) management system can help you to:
• Manage your social, environmental and financial risks
• Improve operational effectiveness
• Reduce costs
• Increase customer and stakeholder satisfaction
• Protect your brand and reputation
• Achieve continual improvement
By using a proven management system you're able to continually renew your mission, strategies, operations and service levels.
Financial value and ROI of ISO 9001:2015
Your quality management system can return a number of benefits if implemented with integrity and and managed with diligence and rigor. So what are the financial and economic benefits that can result from the application of the ISO 9001:2015 management principles?
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improved profitability,
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improved revenues,
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improved budgetary performance,
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reduced costs,
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improved cash flow,
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improved return on investment,
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increased competitiveness,
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improved customer retention and loyalty,
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improved effectiveness of decision making,
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optimized use of available resources,
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heightened employee accountability,
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improved intellectual capital,
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optimized, effective and efficient processes,
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improved supply chain performance,
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reduced time to market, and
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enhanced organizational performance, credibility and sustainability.
Source: ISO 10014:2006. Quality management - Guidelines for realizing financial and economic benefits
Update - Key improvements in OHSAS 18001: 2007 include:
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Greater harmonisation with ISO 9001 Quality and ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems Standards
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A greater emphasis on the “health” as well as “safety” in maintaining a safe workplace
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Inclusion of management systems planning tools, including the hierarchy of controls.
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Requirements for consultation.
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Strengthened requirements for investigation of incidents.