For small or medium-sized businesses, it’s more than important to implement ISO 9001 from the beginning so that they can stand out with industry leaders. It brings lots of potential benefits when you implement quality management system using all the requirements of ISO 9001:2015. However, there come some challenges that small businesses have to cater to in order to get the ISO 9001 certificate in the UAE, or any other country.
The following are the three most notable challenges that small businesses face for the implementation of ISO 9001:
Documentation
The documentation seems easy but it takes a real test even of a professional when you are to document rules and responsibilities required for the implementation of ISO 9001 QMS. You need to balance your employees’ competitive together with well-documented procedures. Also, the ISO 9001 standard itself demands many things properly documented and black and white. Otherwise, you may find yourself a victim of nonconformity that can lead you to a problem in the process of the certification.
Other than these, small businesses have to consider some other things also, including home many people are doing the job of documentation if the process is being performed perfectly, and they also need to consider the competence level if required.
The less you document the more responsive and flexible your work processes can go. However, you should not take any chance of leaving important documentation, especially when it’s required by the ISO 9001:2015 standard.
Outsourced Services
Small businesses are with low capital as compared to larger companies, so they have to rely on outsourced services more. However, they have to deal with outsourced services because it can lead to a view that you have less control over your processes. Despite using outsourced services you need to show that you have complete control over all your production and services.
To show your control, there come many control vehicles that you can make use of, especially when you are with a small business. They may include second party audits, well-documented service level requirements, follow-up activities, and monitoring methodologies for the outsourced services you use. You should show that all these practices are in complete control of yours.
Internal Audits
Handling ongoing internal audits is also one of the crucial challenges small businesses have to face for the implementation of ISO 9001. The ongoing internal audit process happens to be the best method to ensure the performance evaluation of your processes. Internal audit can also help you keep an eye on all your processes at regular intervals.
This will help you take a look at what’s happening with the processes. You can also make proper and planned arrangements of the processes with the help of records and meetings with their participants.
Consequently, small businesses should see the ISO 9001 QMS as a benefit, not a sort of financial burden. You and your employees should keep in mind that you are catering to these challenges just because the implementation will benefit you to a great extent!
