Internal Audit Perception

Posted on February 27, 2012 by EJohnson

This weekend my brother and I were talking and we realized that neither of us really know what the other does. For the past three years, my brother has been in the Navy and I’ve been working in quality and environmental management systems here at MSI.
In our conversation, I told my brother about the development that our clients go through to be certified to ISO 9001 and AS 9100, as well as ISO 14001; and about the internal audit process. He cringed at the thought of internal audits, but I wasn’t very surprised. He told me about a similar audit process that he goes through and how much he feels like the auditor is looking for him to be doing something wrong.
I know that my brother is not the only one that feels this way. Time and time again I hear that internal audits are a very painful process for some companies. I really wish that this wasn’t the case. Internal audits can be a time to improve processes, and make life easier for everyone. The knowledge gained from internal audits can actually be beneficial, but somehow this gets overlooked. The reason we audit is to gain vital information about the health of our company and continually improve our processes.
Maybe I’ve just been blessed to know exceptionally nice auditors. It seems to me all of the auditors here at MSI take the time to communicate what they are doing and the importance of internal audits.
What are some of your experiences with internal audits?

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Management System Savvy

Posted on February 23, 2012 by EJohnson

Hey Guys, this is Elaine. Working for MSI has given me the opportunity to see firsthand how quality and environmental management systems help companies across the world gain a competitive advantage. One of the best parts of working for MSI has been interacting with some of Southern California’s premiere manufacturers, and helping them use new technology to diversify their business with streamlined processes.

I’ve helped companies transition to the almighty cloud with the use of Microsoft SharePoint, and at the same time found that “the cloud” isn’t so almighty. Don’t get me wrong, the cloud is a powerful tool, and is relatively easy to understand. It has  centralized the interaction of the tasks that a company needs to perform to be ISO 9001 or ISO 14001 certified.

Now that MSI and our customers are using the cloud to work on documents, execute our task lists, and schedule appointments, we have taken ISO consulting to a whole new level! It’s an exciting time to be a business manager, and I see the future of international standards exploding with new companies achieving certification every day, thanks to new technology and companies like MSI leading the way!

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Continual Improvement

Posted on February 22, 2012 by Randy Winters

Elevating ISO Continual Improvement Continual improvement is the process of an ongoing effort to improve products, services, or processes. Improvement efforts are incremental or have sudden breakthroughs as processes are evaluated on a consistent basis. Consistency in evaluation is the backbone of continual improvement. This is an obvious principle that many companies choose not to exercise. For this reason, management systems are implemented with reviews or evaluations at defined intervals benefiting companies not only in the areas of improving services or products, but increases in profits become evident as less resources are used in areas of customer service, returned products, and raw material use. The power of ISO 9001 systematic process to identify gaps in processes and promote continual improvement within an organization demands the efforts of evaluation which otherwise are non-existent. Systematic methods with quantifiable data are necessary for any improvement to take place.
Training is an important factor in continual improvement. People are habitual in nature and when performing job responsibilities are not likely to change without training and accountability of the training received. Implementing new concepts within job responsibilities is also a continual improvement process in itself because of the habitual nature of performing repetitive jobs.
Top, middle, and lower management are the most important components in a company. However, commitment to continual improvement is not always on the forefront of the agenda. When management commits to defining management systems that implement continual improvement such as ISO 9001/AS9100 or ISO 14001, companies are able to recognize areas that were previously unnoticed in the daily duties. Management systems demand attention and focus which allows continual improvement to propagate streamlined processed and profits giving a company its best performance value. As the old adage states, “if you are not moving forward, you are moving backward.”

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How to become ISO certified

Posted on February 16, 2012 by EJohnson

To become ISO certified, one must follow every requirement listed in the ISO standard. For ISO 9001, the standard for quality, this includes preparing procedures, keeping records, conducting internal audits, and holding management review meetings. If you are not familiar with ISO 9001 and quality management systems, there are a few ways that you can become educated on the subject. The first option is buy a book. Another option is to attend an implementation class. To streamline the many requirements, you can also hire a consulting firm that will lead you through the requirements of ISO 9001.

This simple chart compares the cost of hiring a consulting firm to prepare your ISO 9001 documentation versus training yourself or hiring a new employee with experience.

Documentation Development:

  ISO Consultant Do it yourself Hiring a Pro
Time 3-15 weeks 12-36 months 2-10 months
Money 5-10K 7-40K 5-40K

*The above information is based on Salaries of $50,000 and $100,000/ year.

To find out more about ISO please contact MSI, LLC.

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How to achieve Continual Improvement

Posted on December 16, 2011 by EJohnson
ISO Continual Improvement for ISO 9001 AS 9100 and ISO 14001

Managment Systems International Continual Improvement

For ISO 9001, AS 9100 and ISO 14001

Continual improvement is a vital activity to maintain a management system. The types of management systems that participate in continual improvement activities are quality and environmental management systems. ISO 9001, AS 9100 or ISO 14001 certified companies must address continual improvement efforts in order to maintain certification.

Activities that deal with continual improvement include updating the quality or environmental policy and objectives. Also, to analyze data (review corrective and preventive actions), and hold management review meetings. But, for many management systems the idea of continual improvement can be difficult to establish and measure. The concept of continual improvement must be measurable, but attending to continual improvement is difficult to grasp.

Outsourcing the ISO activities can prove to be the best use of resources for companies that need to both maintain certification and manage operations. Management Systems International is the leader in not only continuous maintenance but the overall health and care for quality and environmental management systems for companies all over the United States.

To find out more about MSI and our superior management system approach, email us at info@msi-international.com or call for a free consultation at 888-914-9141.

 

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National Quality

Posted on November 7, 2011 by EJohnson

ISO in the USA – Government, ISO 9001, quality implementation

The introduction of quality management systems is nothing new for the federal government. For years agencies like the Department of Defense and other federal
agencies have implemented ISO 9001 for the benefits of superior quality and forward
thinking and planning.

Today, the inclusion of the ISO 9001 quality management system is part of sustainable progress in the national government on a federal level.  ISO 9001 is a recognized standard that produces quality, and many agencies not only maintain certification, but require their suppliers to also be certified to ISO 9001 for quality management.

Identifying and translating the ISO 9001 quality management system for government
agencies has been the work of Management Systems International, LLC for the past 13 years. In that time MSI has worked with many government agencies, namely the  Department of Defense. MSI was selected as consultants for the implementation of ISO 9001 for seven (7) divisions of the NSA and MSI continues to lead recertification efforts.  What has set MSI apart has been their ability to take the complexities of government
service, identify and adapt to the ISO 9001 standard to produce a quality management system that is successfully certified.

From the very top of MSI’s organization, the success of ISO 9001 for the federal
government has been top priority. MSI’s president has taken a unique approach to the implementation of ISO 9001 for governmental agencies. National and
local governments have benefited from our years of experience in the field,
and MSI holds many accolades for our successful implementation.

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ISO 14001 Green Environment, ISO 14001 consulting companies, and ISO 14001 internal audits

Posted on November 3, 2011 by Randy Winters

As companies become aware of the impact business processes have on the environment, the need for reducing this impact through ISO 14001 certification becomes the answer. The ISO 14001 standard details the actions a company needs for mitigating environmental impact and certification. Consulting companies such as Management Systems International provides Environmental Management System procedures to not only become ISO 14001 certified, but to continuously maintain certification. Maintaining ISO certification for a green environment has far reaching benefits. Consulting companies that provide ISO 14001 certification consulting are on the cutting edge of reducing the impacts damaging the environment swinging the pendulum from a black environment over to a green environment. This process provides for continual improvement focus benefiting companies in unimaginable ways.
Let’s take a look at the mindset of these ISO 14001 standards. First, one of the main concepts implemented into company processes is “cradle to grave” or “cradle to cradle” thinking. Business processes that do not implement ISO 14001 standards think in short term profitability and benefits. ISO 14001 changes that mind set to long term thinking by changing engineering processes to include possibly recycle a product after use for reuse. Second, another main concept considers the manufacturing of products using all natural, biodegradable, reusable resources or inputs. Moving away from regulated chemicals reduces permitting costs, and in some cases, material costs. Third, ISO 14001 certification allows companies to consider the community and external stakeholders. Most external stakeholders enjoy living in a green environment and to do so, companies must consider the impact. And finally, a company must be audited to ensure the ISO 14001 standard is implemented correctly. ISO 14001 certification audits are a necessary component for our green environment to remain green for generations to come.

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ISO Internal Audit

Posted on November 1, 2011 by Michael Batchelder

ISO Internal Audit is a process that companies go through to be in compliance to quality and environmental standards. If companies wish to be certified, ISO Internal Audit plays a vital role.

So if you need to perform ISO Internal Audits, what are your options?

 There are three ways to go about this:

  1. Hire Internal Auditors to join your staff
  2. Outsource Internal Audits
  3. Train current employees to become internal auditors

Hiring

To hire internal auditors to join your staff might be the right direction for your organization if your quality and environmental management system is extremely large and complex. The typical yearly salary for a single Internal Auditor to join your staff is around $50k, and to be above reproach you must hire at least two.

Subcontracting

Many large companies hire subcontractors to be impartial participants and audit their company’s processes. One of the leaders in the ISO Internal Audit field is Management Systems International, and a typical full system internal audit costs between $7k to 10k. Organizations choose MSI to perform their ISO Internal Audits because of their experience with extremely complex multi-site companies.     

“At MSI we challenge ourselves to excellence every day; one of our best examples is in our ISO Internal Audit program. MSI’s process of ISO Internal Auditing creates a streamlined approach that makes ISO Internal Audits manageable.”- Elaine Johnson MSI’s Marketing Coordinator.

Internal Auditor Training

The third option is to train employees to become ISO Internal Auditors. Many trainers around the world will teach classes on the internal audit process. Things to look for when choosing a trainer include: does the trainer provide tools for check sheets, summaries, and CAR/PARs. Ask questions to learn more about a potential resource’s provision of these forms because they become vital for any ISO Internal Audit. To be mentioned, Management Systems International provides customized training packages for any size company and holds training classes throughout the year at their Southern California facility. 

ISO Internal Audits can be time consuming and difficult to understand, so having the right tools at your disposal is critical. For a more in depth conversation and clear directions on ISO Internal Audits contact Management Systems International at info@msi-international.com or (888) 914-9141.

 

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Intelligence Community Quality and Environment

Posted on November 1, 2011 by EJohnson

Quality Management and Environmental Management in the Intelligence Community

Today, quality and the environment are important to all Americans and the implementation of ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 are tools that help improve services the intelligence community provides to citizens. The intelligence community can benefit from quality management because ISO 9001 improves operational efficiency, addresses how to integrate and improve service, design, procurement, production and other daily operations. Concurrently, achieving ISO 14001 aids in the achievement of administrative directives by not only meeting but exceeding sustainable development outcomes, providing forward thinking and new operational models for leadership at home and around the world.

Integrating these international practices takes the ability to learn to think like an international standard. By hiring management and training consultants, the intelligence community can receive the information necessary to identify key terms and translating them for public service use.

The intelligence community has had past success in integrating these standards into their agencies. Management Systems International has had the privilege to aid in the development of quality and environmental management systems with the National Intelligence Agency (NSA). MSI has been proud to be a part of improving leading-edge technology for the security of the United States, and look forward to many more partnerships within the intelligence community.

Contact MSI at 888-914-9141 or info@msi-international.com

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ISO Standards

Posted on October 13, 2011 by EJohnson

ISO Standards for quality management (ISO 9001) are among the most widely known and successful of the 13,000 Standards published by ISO since it began operations in 1947.

The ISO Standard has become an international reference for requirements in business to business dealings and forms the basis of more than 700,000 certified quality management systems within private and public sector organizations in at least 160 countries.

In the United States, one of the ISO Standards (ISO 9001) is used by: Department of Defense, NASA, FDA, IBM, Aircraft industry, Auto makers, companies in international markets, huge companies and small companies, both public and private.

ISO Standards have many benefits. The ISO 9001 Standard enhances customer satisfaction, satisfies customers who may require ISO 9001 registration before giving you their business, achieves international recognition, so businesses can sell more readily in European Union (EU) and Pacific Rim markets, thus improving business, and subcontractor, and supplier/vendor performances.

To yield cost savings and improve profitability, the ISO standards systematically adds value to form a foundation and discipline for continual improvement activities by increasing operational efficiencies minimizing auditing by customers and regulatory agencies, and improving the customer/supplier relationship. By considering processes in terms of customer satisfaction, ISO standards enhance management skills and reduce process and product/service nonconformities.

Management Systems International stands alone in the utilization of ISO standards, with years of experience, and state of the art technology. Headquartered in Southern California, with operations across the United States, MSI is helping some of the largest government agencies, service, manufacturers, and corporations achieve their goals of certification and continual improvement. For more information call Management Systems International at 888-914-9141

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