Developing and implementing ISO 9001:2015 QMS – 07 – Empowering and Building the Workforce

Developing and implementing ISO 9001:2015 QMS – 07 – Empowering and Building the Workforce

=========

If employees of an organization are well aware of quality management principles, requirements of ISO 9001:2015 QMS, and benefits of the system, then it is easy to develop and implement the quality management system in the organization. So, it is necessary to empower the workforce of the organization with adequate knowledge on ISO 9001:2015 QMS Awareness and build quality culture among them. Well-informed and well-trained workforce is always an asset to the organization and will contribute to the ISO 9001:2015 QMS implementation.

 

The steering committee should plan and organize awareness programme/s on ISO 9001:2015 QMS Awareness. Creating awareness among employees help them understand quality management principles, ISO 9001:2015 QMS requirements, and benefits of the system. It fosters a quality culture throughout the organization. An awareness programme makes employees understand their roles and responsibilities in meeting standard’s requirements and achieving ISO 9001:2015 QMS certification. When employees understand the quality management principles, requirements and benefits of ISO 9001:2015 QMS standard, it leads to consistent operation of the organization including consistent processes and practices, reducing errors and nonconformities, and improving efficiency and productivity in the organization. Raising ISO 9001:2015 QMS awareness among employees encourages a mindset of continual improvement and application of risk-based thinking, thus achieving organizational performance and enhanced customer satisfaction.

 

Whether to conduct in-house training or external training? While both options, conducting in-house training or external training, have their merits, however conducting an in-house awareness may be a better and cost-effective option, by which more employees’ participation can be ensured with minimum disruption to daily operations.  

 

The steering committee of the organization should undertake the responsibility of conducting and organizing ISO 9001:20015 QMS awareness programme in the organization to communicate the following to the employees:

 

-        Introduction to ISO 9001:2015

 

-        The aim of quality management system

 

-        The advantages quality management system offers to employees, customers and the organization

 

-        Quality principles

 

-        Overview of standard’s requirements and how the system will work

 

-        Employees’ roles and responsibilities within the system

 

-        Overview of internal audit, risk-based thinking, management review, documented information to be maintained / retained, and improvement

 

-        Case studies relevant to the organization’s processes

 

The top management should take active involvement in the awareness programme. The steering committee should consider: (i) incorporating interactive sessions and quizzes in the awareness programme, and (ii) conducting periodic follow-up sessions to reinforce learning among employees. The steering committee should assess the effectiveness of the awareness programme and identify areas for improvement.

 

Who should conduct the ISO 9001:2015 QMS Awareness programme? The programme may be conducted by personnel, who is well aware of ISO 9001:2015 QMS standard, preferably ISO 9001 QMS Lead Auditor. The trainer may be from the organization itself. Alternatively, an outside trainer or consultant may be engaged to talk to different levels of employees.

 

For general awareness, the duration of such in-house awareness programme may be four hours. With the advancement of technology, the employees may be motivated to attend online training programme and paid incentive on successful completion of the online training programme.

 

Best wishes,

Keshav Ram Singhal

 

Please have your comments / reaction.

 

To train your employees with ISO 9001:2015 QMS Awareness, please supply them “TRAINING HANDBOOK ON ISO 9001:2015QMS AWARENESS” (ASIN: B093YFFY7Z), which is available worldwide at Amazon. Please search this Training Handbook in Amazon Website of your country. 

 

 You may also supply your employees following eBooks - (i) A Concise Guide on Creating and Updating Documented Information (eBook) https://store.pothi.com/book/ebook-keshav-ram-singhal-concise-guide-creating-and-updating-documented-information/ (ii) Applying Risk-based Thinking in an Organization Implementing ISO 9001:2015 QMS (eBook) https://store.pothi.com/book/ebook-keshav-ram-singhal-applying-risk-based-thinking-organization-implementing-iso-9001-2015-q/

 

Thanks.