The Seven Principles of ISO 9001
- Engagement of People
- Customer Focus
- Leadership
- Process Approach
- Improvement
- Evidence-based Decision Making
- Relationship Management
These seven principles act in unison to create a quality management system that helps a company operate at its best. By running your business with these principles in mind, you are actively looking to improve your company year on year.
Engagement of People
This principle is based on getting your entire company to buy into the process and understand its role in improving its operations. It is predicated on open and transparent communication across the business.
Customer Focus
Any company's goal is to satisfy and keep its customers happy. All steps in improvement should be made with this goal in mind. As you implement ISO 9001, every decision will be made considering the customer's satisfaction.
Leadership
Leadership in ISO 9001 is based on two things: a clear vision of the business’s future and the ability to communicate that vision. The ability to see where the company is headed and communicate it to others will help keep everyone focused on achieving the same goal.
Process Approach
The premise behind the process approach is that a process can be controlled and repeated, while results are primarily a result of the process. By focusing on a proven method to produce the desired results, you can increase the rate at which you achieve these results.
ISO focuses on the Plan Do Check Act (PDCA) process, designed to promote a process-driven culture that infects the entire company, regardless of department.
Improvement
One of the core focuses of the ISO 9001 system is continual improvement. This focus will likely become a core goal of your organization, too. At every juncture of the process, there is an opportunity to question whether the current method is the best and whether it can improve upon any inefficiencies that might arise.
Evidence-based Decision Making
This principle is based on providing all members of an organization with the most accurate information possible so that all decisions can be as informed as possible. By making all information available, team members feel empowered to take initiative.
Relationship Management
This principle of the ISO 9001 system stresses the relationships a company builds with its vendors and suppliers. By basing those relationships on trust and open communication, a company can leverage them to increase its competitive advantage.
These principles are designed to work in unison and reinforce each other. They also provide an organization with a way to constantly improve each step and review its processes to ensure they are the best possible.
Equally important, these principles can be applied to all facets of a business's operation. The same evidence-based decision-making that helps a company allocate its capital resources can also help it allocate its human resources.
