Developing and implementing ISO 9001:2015 QMS – 08 – Formulate An Action Plan

Developing and implementing ISO 9001:2015 QMS – 08 – Formulate An Action Plan

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Once the workforce of the organization is well aware of the overview of the quality management system, it is now the time to start the implementation process with proper planning. It will be a better idea, if an action plan of ISO 9001:2015 QMS implementation is formulated in advance by the steering committee in consultation and direction with the top management. The action plan should mention:

 

-        Brief description of individual activities,

 

-        Responsibilities for different activities to be completed,

 

-        Target date for the completion of the activities, and

 

-        Date of completion of the activities.

 

The following activities should be included in the action plan:

 

-        Establishing steering committee (Responsibility – Top management)

 

-        Establishing task force (Responsibility – Steering committee)

 

-        Assigning responsibilities and authorities for different roles (Responsibility – Top management)

 

-        Appointing a consultant (Responsibility – Steering committee)

 

-        Obtaining information about QMS and ISO 9000 Family (Responsibility – Steering committee)

 

-        Purchase of standards, books and literature (Responsibility – Steering committee)

 

-        ISO 9001:2015 QMS Awareness programme for top management (Responsibility – Steering committee)

 

-        ISO 9001:2015 QMS Awareness Programme for steering committee members (Responsibility – Top management)

 

-        ISO 9001:2015 QMS Awareness and QMS Documented Information Training for task force members (Responsibility – Steering committee)

 

-        ISO 9001:2015 QMS Awareness Programme for employees (Responsibility – Steering committee)

 

-        Selection of internal auditor (Responsibility – Steering committee)

 

-        Training on statistical tools to selected employees (Responsibility – Steering committee)

 

-        Training on specific identified subjects, if determined (Responsibility – Steering committee)

 

-        Initial Status Survey (Responsibility – Steering committee)

 

-        Developing quality policy (Responsibility – Top management)

 

-        Establishing quality objectives (Responsibility – Steering committee)

 

-        Implementation to start (Responsibility – Steering committee)

 

 

-        Understanding the organization and its context, understanding the needs and expectation of interested parties and application of risk-based thinking, identifying potential risks and defining strategies to mitigate them (Responsibility – Steering committee)

 

-        Control of documented information including creation, approval, distribution, and updates of documented information (Responsibility – Task force)

 

-        Control for handling non-conformities, implementing corrective actions (Responsibilities – Departments head)

 

-        Developing a well-structured communication strategy to ensure all employees are informed appropriately for QMS implementation (Responsibility – Steering committee and departments head)

 

-        Resource allocation – Ensuring allocation of sufficient resources - human and budget (Responsibility – Top management)

 

-        Performance monitoring to measure the effectiveness of QMS implementation regularly (Responsibility – Steering Committee)

 

-        Performance evaluation including internal audit (Responsibility – Steering committee and internal auditors)

 

-        Management review (Responsibility – Top management)

 

-        Pre-assessment audit (Responsibility – Steering committee)

 

-        Certification body selection (Responsibility – Steering committee)

 

-        Application for certification (Responsibility – Steering committee)

 

-        Managing certification audit (Responsibility – Steering committee)

 

Action plan should include the tentative date of completion of the activity. The action plan should be reviewed by the steering committee from time to time so that implementation process remains on right track. It should be noted that every organization is unique, and the action plan should be tailored to fit the specific needs and context of the organization. Inclusion of essential activities with responsibilities and target dates in the action plan ensures a smooth and organized implementation process as well as these are crucial for successful planning and execution. Having a well-thought-out action plan helps the organization to have a clear roadmap to implementation process, sets expectations, and ensures involvement of everyone in the organization. A well-structured action plan helps in avoiding chaos during the implementation phase and increase the likelihood of achieving ISO 9001:2015 certification.

 

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.