We can provide ISO gap analyses and assisting organisations with the implementation and maintenance of their management systems.
We can support organisations by updating and writing their documentation as well as teaching individuals how to develop appropriate documentation themselves.
We can support organisations by updating and writing their documentation as well as teaching individuals how to develop appropriate documentation themselves.
We have experience in delivering ISO Management Systems consultancy services. We can provide ISO consultancy services across a range of standards including ISO 9001, ISO 45001, ISO 14001 and ISO 17020.
An ISO Gap Analysis objectively assesses how closely a
management system aligns with the requirements of a particular ISO standard. It
is often undertaken when an organisation is considering becoming certified.
We can provide ISO gap analyses and assisting organisations
with the implementation and maintenance of their management systems.
Features of an ISO Gap Analysis
- Gain a detailed understanding of the steps
needed for your organisation to achieve ISO certification:
- Identify where your policies, processes and
procedures meet and fall short of ISO standard requirements;
- Understand the timescales and resources required
to achieve ISO certification;
- Use the analysis report to create an
implementation plan; and
- Save cost and time by utilising an ISO expert
that has helped other businesses achieve certification.
How We Conduct a Gap Analysis
Following your enquiry, we will contact you to discuss your
requirements and schedule a call between you and a consultant. You will discuss
your goals, the scope of your operations, any specific areas of concern you have
and the timescale you wish to achieve certification within.
Following the initial consultation, we will send you a
quotation along with our availability to conduct the gap analysis for you,
either at your premises or remotely. Typically, an ISO Gap Analysis takes place
over one day, but this may vary based on the size of your organisation and
complexity of its processes and procedures.
On the Day
Our consultant will provide a recap of the scope of the
operations we have agreed to assess, the criteria which they are undertaking
the gap analysis against, for example the ISO standard itself, and confirm the
plan for the day.
We may need access to certain management system
documentation during or prior to the analysis, such as your business manual,
policies and records.
Our consultant may also interview members of your team, such
as top management and process owners, to assess whether process and procedures
are being followed and understood. At the end of the day a closing meeting will
be held to provide a summary of our findings.
ISO Gap Analysis Report
Following the analysis, you will be sent a comprehensive ISO
Gap Analysis Report identifying where you currently do and don’t meet the
requirements of the standard, along with recommendations for meeting those
requirements and suggested next steps. The report will also confirm your
position in terms of achieving ISO certification.
Additional Support
Following the receipt of the gap analysis our consultants
can provide support as you need to help you achieve certification. We can review changes you have implemented,
assist you in the development of management systems documentation and provide
awareness and Internal Auditor training to embed and maintain the management
system.
An ISO audit is a systematic, independent and documented
process which provides an objective assessment to evaluate the extent to which
ISO requirements, and other applicable audit criteria, have been met.
Benefits of Auditing
- Assess conformity of the operation of a
management system to see if activities are being carried out as planned;
- Provide confidence in the effectiveness of the
management system processes;
- Assess conformity with the requirements of an
ISO standard and other regulatory requirements;
- Promote best practice within an organisation;
- Identify opportunities for change and for
continual improvement; and
- Achieve and maintain internationally recognised
ISO certification where internal audits required.
How it Works
Pre-Audit: Our consultant will contact you to gain an understanding of
your requirements including the type of audit you require (pre-assessment and
internal audit) and whether you require an onsite or remote audit. Our
consultant can undertake the full audit for you, audit part of your system or
simply support your team during the audit.
A proposal will be sent confirming the audit scope,
timescale and cost. Upon agreement to proceed, our consultant will plan and
prepare for the audit including establishing contact with the auditee, creating
the audit checklist and performing a document review.
The Audit: On the day of the audit, an opening meeting will be held to
confirm the audit objectives, scope, method and audit timetable.
Whilst conducting the audit the consultant will through
review documented information and interview top management, process owners and
process operators to identify conformance. Throughout the audit the consultant
will complete the prepared audit checklist and communicate any risks or
nonconformities identified to the auditee.
The audit will conclude with a closing meeting where the
consultant will present the audit outcome and nonconformities where applicable.
Audit Report and Follow-up: An audit report will be provided which will include a summary
of the audit and detail nonconformities, opportunities for improvement,
recommended follow-up actions and actions agreed during the audit.
Following your audit we can provide as much or as little
support as required. If nonconformities were identified we can provide support
to resolve these including undertaking a root cause analysis.
Coaching services are available to guide your employees
through the audit process which can equip your staff with the knowledge and
skills to undertake audits.
Participate in the External audit: During the external audit for your Certification, our
consultant can be present to assist during the process.
ISO Management System documentation comprises of five
levels: system manual, procedures, work instructions, reference documentation
and records. The extent of required documented information depends on the size
of the organisation, complexity of processes and competence of personnel.
As a provider of management system consultancy, our consultants
understand the requirements for, and benefits of, effective documented
information. We can support organisations by updating and writing their
documentation as well as teaching individuals how to develop appropriate
documentation themselves.
Reasons for ISO Documentation:
- Ensures the intentions and direction of top
management is clearly understood throughout the organisation;
- Provides a formal environment to ensure everyone
understands their operating procedures;
- Assists with continual improvement and business
continuity of the business in the event of unforeseen interruptions;
- Creates standardised procedures to ensure that
outcomes are clearly defined and consistent; and
- Provides evidence of conformance with the
management system and ISO standard.
ISO System Documentation
System Manual: The System Manual (sometimes referred to as Business Manual)
describes the management system. Typically, a system manual includes the
company policy and objectives, business principles, organisational charts, core
business processes, key responsibilities and process descriptions.
Procedures: Procedures specify the way an activity or a process should
be carried out. Documented procedures provide the necessary basis for control
by defining the scope, sequence of events and responsibilities. Outputs of
procedures should be clearly defined.
Work Instructions: Work instructions, for example operating instructions, are
often documented if the activity or task is critical.
Documented work instructions specify the detailed
requirements for an operation, such as the tasks involved, how these should be
performed and the standards to be used.
Reference Documentation: Reference documentation is documentation that needs to be
reviewed in order to follow a procedure or work instruction. It may refer to an
external document such as a standard, legislation or codes of practice.
Records: Records are a type of documentation that provide evidence
that activities have been performed and results achieved. They can also be used
to provide objective evidence that the management system is functioning and
effective.
Nonconformities
& Corrective Action: During a certification audit the level of an organisation’s
conformity to the relevant ISO management system standard is established.
If nonconformities were identified during your audit our
consultants can provide advice and support in implementing corrective actions
to address these, ensuring the results comply with the ISO requirements.
We are flexible and dedicated to providing the highest
quality solutions with a sense of warmth, friendliness, individual pride and
company spirit.
Our consultancy services are client orientated and tailored
to meet your business requirements. We will work with you to identify clear
objectives, project milestones and deliverables to ensure you achieve your
expected result.
Our services are designed to assist you in
ensuring your management system reaches its full potential, as a result this
can assist you to achieve ISO Certification, maintain the certification and
help you ensure you are gaining the most from the certificate.
