General Management System Practices
Guidance applicable across standards
Root Cause Analysis – Practical Examples from ISO Audits
A procedure was not followed. A required inspection was missed. An employee used an outdated document. A piece of equipment…
Read moreWriting Effective Corrective Actions – What Certification Auditors Expect to See
A nonconformity has been issued. The organization corrects the immediate problem, investigates what happened, identifies a root cause, and submits…
Read moreCorrective Action vs Correction – Understanding the Difference in ISO Management Systems
A nonconformity is identified. Someone fixes the problem, documents what was done, and closes the issue. Problem solved? Maybe—but not…
Read moreHow to Verify the Effectiveness of Corrective Actions
Introduction One of the most common questions I ask during internal audits is surprisingly simple: “How do you know your…
Read moreWhen Documentation Doesn’t Match Reality – One of the Most Common Problems I See During Audits
Introduction One of the most common observations I make during internal audits has very little to do with missing procedures…
Read moreThe Process Approach – Why It Still Matters
Introduction One of the fundamental concepts of ISO 9001 is the process approach. It has been part of the standard…
Read moreWhen the Root Cause Is “The Employee Didn’t Care” – Is It Really the Root Cause?
Sooner or later, almost every manager encounters the same frustrating situation. An employee ignores a procedure. A required inspection is…
Read moreLeadership – Setting the Tone for an Effective Quality Management System
A quality management system is often associated with documented procedures, internal audits, corrective actions, and management reviews. While these elements…
Read moreTop 5 Internal Audit Findings I See Across Different Organizations (and How to Prevent Them)
Internal audits are one of the most valuable tools within any management system. They provide organizations with an opportunity to…
Read moreDeveloping Auditor Competence – What Makes a Great Internal Auditor
Introduction An audit program is only as effective as the auditors conducting it. Organizations often invest considerable effort into: Procedures…
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