Developing
and implementing ISO 9001:2015 QMS – 05 – Appointing a QMS Consultant
=========
A quality
management system (QMS) consultant is a professional competent person, who
assist and guide an organization on quality management system realization,
providing advice or information. Appointing a consultant, for ISO 9001:2015 QMS
implementation, is not a requirement. It is not necessary appointing a consultant,
however appointing a consultant may be worthwhile investment. A professionally
competent consultant effects speedy transfer of knowledge and skills to the
organization and he / she may be needed to provide timely guidance to keep the
ISO 9001:2015 QMS implementation programme on track. A consultant provides the
people power to complete the work when needed at reasonable cost. The steering
committee or the top management of the organization should determine whether a
consultant is required.
There are
seven general reasons to hire and appoint a professional competent consultant:
(1)
A professional
competent consultant has appropriate experience, expertise and time that
employees of the organization may not have. An organization turns to a consultant
to fill knowledge and time gaps.
(2)
A
professional competent consultant can provide flexibility of time. A consultant
may work any time – including nights, weekends and holidays. A consultant
leaves when the project is completed.
(3)
A
professional competent consultant offers the latest and objective point of
view. A professional competent consultant brings the latest and unbiased ideas
from his / her vide experience.
(4)
A
professional competent consultant is more efficient and he / she focuses on the
assigned project with sincerity till it is completed.
(5)
Engagement
of a professional competent consultant may be a proof of honest endeavour. An
organization may use consultant to show that an effort is being made to correct
gaps in compliance with requirements.
(6)
A
professional competent consultant can accelerate and expedite the
implementation process, leveraging his / her experience and knowledge to avoid
common pitfalls and delays.
(7)
A
professional competent consultant can provide an objective assessment of the
organization's existing processes and systems, free from internal biases and
preconceptions.
Thus, we
see, a consultant may be an important resource to assist and guide an
organization in developing, implementing and maintaining ISO 9001:2015 QMS and
its certification from an accredited certification body. However, it is
essential, before appointing a consultant, to check his / her competence,
education, knowledge and skills with regard to ISO 9001:2015 QMS. He / she
should also be well aware of certification and accreditation systems. Cost is
an important consideration in deciding to engage a consultant, therefore, the
organization may obtain quotation of consultant fee and other expenses from
several consultants. However, please note that the cheapest consultant may not
always be the best. Emphasis should be on consultant’s qualification, knowledge
and experience.
It is
necessary to establish (i) what the consultant is expected to do or provide, and
(ii) what the organization’s people are expected to do or provide. Hiring,
engaging or appointing a consultant should not be regarded as an exercise in
shifting the responsibility for establishing, implementing and maintaining the
quality management system to someone else. Ownership of the quality management
system (QMS) implementation should remain with the organization's people. A
consultant's role is to provide guidance, expertise, and support, but the
responsibility for the development, implementation, and maintenance of the
quality management system (QMS) should be firmly held by the management and
employees of the organization. The consultant is an external resource who
assists in the process, but the commitment and involvement of the internal team
are crucial for the success and sustainability of the quality management system
in the organization.
International
Organization for Standardization (ISO) has published a standard ISO 10019:2005,
which provides guidelines for the selection of quality management consultants
and use of their services. ISO 10019:2005 standard is intended to assist organizations
when selecting a quality management system consultant. An organization may
refer to this standard, if wishes to have detailed guidance in the matter. This
standard provides valuable guidance and can further enhance the credibility and
effectiveness of the consultant selection process.
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.
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