For those planning training sessions or candidates intending to take an online exam during this period, we will be offering online exam sessions on December 27 and 29, as well as January 5, 2024. You can check the link to online exam events here.
The process approach is a method of thinking applying to understand and plan the sequence and interactions of processes in the system. Saying that again, it’s a method to plan the processes and the interactions of these processes as part of the management system. A method of thinking and planning makes it one of the reasons it is difficult for many to understand. We apply this method of thinking and planning to our processes to see how they interact with each other.
What is the purpose of the process approach?
The purpose of the process approach is the same purpose as the ISO 9001:2015 standard. The purpose of the standard and the process approach is to provide consistent product and services to the requirements to enhance customer satisfaction. The process approach is the most effective efficient method to meet this purpose. The management system is made up of processes, so we must understand how these processes work, and how they interact with each other so that we can understand how the processes make the system more efficient and effective. So, the purpose of the process approach is the same thing as the purpose of the standard, it’s to make us to be able to provide consistent product and services to the requirements to enhance customer satisfaction.
How do we implement the process approach?
Well the standard actually spells this out for us. If you go to sub-clause 4.4 of the standard, you’ll see that the first thing that it asks us to do in there is to determine the inputs required and outputs expected of process. This is how you implement the process approach; you determine the outputs expected the inputs required, you determine the sequence and interaction, you determine and apply criteria and methods to ensure effective operations and control of the process, you determine the resources and ensure their availability, you sign the responsibilities and authorities for the processes, you address risk and opportunities, you evaluate the processes and implement changes to improve.
So, the process approach has been hidden in front of our face the whole time. It is spelled out in sub-clauses 4.4; so the process approach is a method, it’s a way of thinking and its purpose is the same as standards the methods to implement are spelled out in the standard in sub-clause 4.4.
Thank you for letting me be part of this opportunity to help you learn and grow.
Speaker
Debra Hay Hampton
A Certified Quality Engineer, Certified Professional Engineer, Certified Professional Trainer, Certified Management Consultant. She is also a Lead Auditor - QMS & EMS; Principal Auditor OHSAS. Debra has determined the best way to implement ISO 9001.