Do’s and Don’ts for Quality System Certification
DO:
Go for certification based on compelling and business value-based reasons.
DON’T:
Let customers or the marketplace force you to rush for certification. Plan to get some competitive advantage from the certification.
DO:
Get senior management to champion and commit to leading the efforts.
DON’T:
Just recreate a new quality system. Be creative and business-wise by building on the existing processes and practices, aligning them for compliance to the standard.
DO:
Use external expert help to avoid first timer pitfalls and to help you stay focussed on compliance tasks.
DON’T:
Over document. Keep documentation simple to meet the intent of the standard.
DO:
Manage the overall effort through effective teamwork and with good project management methods.
DON’T:
Let the devised system manage the people rather than serve them. the system should allow people to manage their own business performance more effectively.
DO:
Maintain certification and foster a continuous improvement culture for not only quality but overall business performance enhancement. Initial certification should not be the end in itself but a commitment to use the certified system to become better and highly competitive.