There are many reasons why having a quality management system (QMS) can benefit your business. A quality management system certified to ISO 9001 standard supports businesses in improving customer satisfaction, reducing wastage costs and demonstrates your commitment to quality to investors and customers. As of 2020, 2,238 ISO 9001 certificates have been issued in Ireland. While some business benefits of having a QMS are apparent, such as monitoring and implementing consistent quality control of services and products, some benefits are less obvious. Understanding why you should implement a quality management system can pave the way for certification in ISO 9001, which can inspire trust with customers and open the door to tenders and contract bids that require ISO 9001.
What is a quality management system (QMS)?
A quality management system helps businesses operate more efficiently. It can be used to improve performance by introducing a consistent level of quality across an organisation ensuring confidence among customers, investors and other stakeholders. ISO 9001 is the global standard in quality management systems. It was developed by the International Organization of Standardization.
Why have a quality management system?
Adopting a QMS can benefit all sizes and types of businesses, from manufacturers to technology companies. It is helpful for companies that want to reduce costs and benefit from increased customer satisfaction and retention. A management system is a framework of policies, processes and procedures that allow organisations to manage various parts of their activities and objectives. There are different management systems – from energy and environment to health and safety. Each focuses on supporting the performance management required to achieve a business’s objectives. A quality management system focuses on the processes to continually improve quality and how that impacts and improves customer satisfaction. There are a number of core benefits to implementing a QMS.
Consistent quality
Deploying a QMS provides centralised access to documentation, policies, and procedures required to ensure consistency throughout the production cycle. A QMS offers a way to actively monitor and record quality, from customer satisfaction to quality controls, allowing organisations to identify quality gaps and address them. A consistent output reassures customers that your business is a reliable supplier, encouraging customer retention and reducing costs associated with poor quality or dissatisfied customers.
Improved communication
A QMS can lead to better communication within your business. From centralised documentation that provides access to standardised information across teams and departments to acting on quality control gaps, a QMS is a platform for consistent, joined-up communications and clarity concerning output. Departments and teams can benefit from clear guidance on issues such as waste reduction or compliance with legislation. It can also help enhance transparency through evidence-based decision making that increases your business’s operational efficiencies.
Reduced costs
A QMS can help reduce costs caused by poor quality. Inconsistent quality control can affect the entire production process from higher wastage and lost productivity to substandard products reaching customers, resulting in higher returns. A QMS provides data throughout the production process, addressing quality gaps and monitoring output. This allows companies to improve production processes resulting in less wastage and reduced downtime, lowering costs and improving production margins.
Increased customer satisfaction
Improved product and service quality can lead to increased customer satisfaction. A QMS framework can collate and report on customer feedback and satisfaction, allowing your organisation to make data-driven decisions to better meet customer needs. It can help focus your attention on engaging your target market and delivering precisely what your customers expect from you. A QMS is a pathway to ISO 9001 certification, which demonstrates to customers your commitment to quality, and building trust in your brand.
Competitive advantage
Introducing a QMS, or improving your existing quality management system to ISO 9001 standard, can give your business a competitive advantage. ISO 9001 demonstrates your organisation has an effective QMS and is committed to continual improvement. Some customers will require evidence of quality management as part of due diligence. Some organisations, such as government bodies, may require ISO 9001 certification as a part of a tendering bid.
Develop new markets
Having a quality management system can help you grow your market and win new customers. While ISO 9001 certification can be attractive to customers, a QMS also allows an organisation to assess its operations and output, identifying new production and delivery methods. It can help drive data-led innovations, leading to revised and more cost-effective products, allowing a company to expand its reach, such as through more elastic pricing or addressing additional target markets.
Why have a quality management system – ISO 9001 certification
ISO 9001 certification for your quality management system should be something your business considers. We offer ISO 9001 certification that assesses if your quality management system that meets the requirements of certification. ISO 9001 certification is available for any business, large or small. Our expert ISO assessors will assess how compliant you are with ISO 9001 requirements and provide feedback on QMS improvements, helping your organisation improve and benefit from a focus on quality.
