Quality Choice Construction is in the process of establishing the necessary audits and reviews to obtain ISO  Certifications (International Organization for Standards).  These certifications establish the business as implementing the necessary policies, procedures and management operations to insure optimum quality standards.

Presently, the management and client relationship procedures that are already established as policy by QCC are in accordance with the existing ISO standards.  These procedures are under continual improvement to increase the efficiency and establish even stronger quality assurance measures to enable QCC to better service their growing client base.

ISO 9000:2000 – the new standard for quality

The ISO 9000 quality management systems have been adopted by more than 250,000 organisations worldwide. To ensure that all standards are kept up to date and relevant, the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) reviews the standards at least every five years. Following extensive global consultation, revisions to the current (1994) versions of ISO 9000 have reached Draft International Standard (DIS) stage, and are targeted to be published towards the end of November this year.

What is ISO?

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies from some 130 countries, one from each country (So Europe has 14 votes to USA’s 1 vote!). The mission of ISO is to promote the development of standardisation with a view to facilitating the international exchange of goods and services, and to developing co-operation in the spheres of intellectual, scientific, technological and economic activity. ISO’s work results in international agreements, which are published as International Standards. Article.

ISO 9000:2000 has 8 basic key principles.  For purposes of your review and consideration,      they have been outlined below.  With each KEY,  a brief outline of the QCC ISO concept has  been included.  While the manner in which these details are accomplished are much more    defined and detailed, the brief outline will provide greater insight into the manner in which   QCC is striving for ISO Certification.  QCC has already established compliance which exceeds the basic requirements and will continue working toward audit and certification by 2002.       

1.Customer focused organization: QCC has a dedicated understanding that they are a direct service related organization.  A unilateral understanding of the needs of their clients begins a focused management effort to develop specific policies and procedures which may be unique to a specific customer.  Direct application of these events insure that the specific needs and expectations of your company are met or exceeded.

2.  Leadership:  ISO establishes specific requirements for the responsibilities of corporate leaders.  While these characteristics and responsibilities have already been implemented withing the standard levels of QCC's management, additional procedures further insure quality control. Uncommon to industry is the desire to promote leadership qualities in all employee's.  QCC is developing employee training which accurately defines job function and customer requirements among all employee's.  In this manner, each accepts a level of leadership which helps insure quality control and efficiency.

3.  Involvement of people : It has long been established that when employers invite and encourage all of the employee's in the operation of a company that many benefits are realized.  QCC has been and is continuing to explore successful methods of employee involvement.  In accordance with ISO Certification, all employees from upper management to field service personnel have a clear understanding of the specific needs and requirements of each customer or contracted client.  By establishing and maintaining this networked relationship, the needs of each customer are able to be defined and achieved.

4.  Process approach : In this service industry, often the processes or procedures required for a specific task or contract need can vary widely.  Each requested job task or contract is closely evaluated.  Using the 8 steps defined by ISO, the most efficient process for implementation can be determined and quality assurance may be specifically defined. 

5.  System approach to management : QCC's upper management personnel have established various systems which facilitate consistency in corporate management.  These systems, while being solidly in-place, are capable of being modified as other facets of ISO's basic 8 steps are pursued.

6.  Continual improvement : Much as the technology continues to develop and grow this industry, there is clear need for close monitoring of industry standards, laws, safety standards, FCC or other imposed guidelines and automated devices.  For this reason QCC has a policy of taking a common approach to provided for the continuing improvement of the operation of the company.  Working within the basic steps outlined by ISO Certification, providing for the recognition, determination and implementation of new policies and procedures is assured.

7.  Factual approach to decision-making : QCC has recognized that the first step in establishing policies or procedures requires someone to make an intelligent decision.  The principle requirement for making this decision is a fact finding mission.  Through this process it is possible to identify considerations which lead to an operational profile which is geared to mutual efficiency, quality and scheduling between supply vendors, the QCC client base as well as QCC.  In this manner, a cooperative relationship is established.

8.  Mutually beneficial supplier relationship : It is often necessary for 3rd. party service, materials, equipment, consulting or other businesses to be required for the performance of a job task or contract.  QCC has a strong understanding of the important roles these 3rd. party companies play in a project.  The management of QCC strives to establish dedicated relationships with these needed providers.  Unilateral respect and each having a clear understanding of the expectations of the other establishes a relationship that provides service and quality assurance, optimum pricing and yields the maximum in benefit to the vendor, QCC's client base, future customers and QCC.

New requirements in ISO9000:2000

The new ISO 9001 and ISO 9004 standards are supposedly designed ‘to facilitate continual improvement of the business, stimulating its overall efficiency in order to increase competitive advantage and to respond better to customers needs and expectations.’ The new standards will retain the essence of current ISO 9000 requirements, however, the 20 elements currently described in existing ISO 9001:1994 will be represented in four main sections for the revised process model.

·         Management Responsibility – there must be a demonstrated and auditable commitment to the establishment of quality policy, planning and objectives, and the creation and communication of the importance of meeting customer requirements. There should be measurable and quantifiable improvement targets and supporting data.

·         Resource Management – this is required with specific detail on resource availability and resources such as information, communication, facilities and work environment. Training effectiveness must be evaluated.

·         Product and/or Service Realisation – there must be product and/or service realisation, including the determination and specification of customer requirements and organisational self-assessment, as a driver for improvement of processes and methods.

·         Measurement, Analysis and Improvement – these are required for ‘continual improvement’ as it is an explicit requirement of ISO9000:2000. Customer satisfaction must be measured. Measurements are also extended to system, processes and product or services. Improvement actions will also be required.

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Last modified: November 09, 2001