Preparing for certification can be more easier than you think.
How to get certified to an ISO standard..
Step 1: Obtain the standard
Buy a copy of the required Intentional Standard and familiarize yourself with the requirement.
Research the wealth of information available, both published and web based, that can help you navigate and implement the Standard.
Step 2: Assemble your team, review ISOQAR Africa training courses and define your strategy
Senior management commitment and involvement is crucial – they decide on the business strategy that needs to be supported by the management system.
Establish a dedicated team to develop and implement the management system – they may require training to equip them with Standard specific knowledge. Look at our training courses to find out how we can help.
Step 3: Develop your management system (documentation and procedures)
Your management system should document all of your organisation’s policies and processes for managing its activities.
Establishing process performance monitoring, identifying areas of weakness, analyzing problems and implementing continual improvement measures allow you to focus on customer and business needs.
Procedures describing the key processes of your organisation will help you to establish a culture of best practice within your organisation.
Step 4: Implement your management system
Effective communication and appropriate training are key to successful implementation, to ensure that the whole organisation is working in accordance with your procedures.
Keep controlled records, so that you can demonstrate how effective your management system is.
After your internal audit, conduct a management review and ensure any corrective actions are fulfilled to ensure its continuing suitability and effectiveness.
Step 5: Book your certification assessment with ISOQAR Africa
Continual improvement is central to the main objectives behind implementing any management system, and its effectiveness depends in part on working with a certification partner who understands the importance of continually looking for opportunities to refine and improve your business operations.
Step 6: Take advantage of an ISOQAR Africa pre-assessment.
A “pre-assessment” will provide you with a preliminary evaluation of your management system, enabling you to identify opportunities for improvement and potential non-conformances before beginning the accredited certification process.
Following certificate assessment
On successful completion, we’ll issue a certificate of registration, clearly outlining the scope of your certification. Our certificates carry the UKAS “Crown and Tick” logo – essential if your certificate is to be recognized by clients, partners and other stakeholders.
Your ISOQAR Africa auditor will carry out annual audits for on-going conformance, and support your continual improvement activities.
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