PROJECT MANAGEMENT TOOLS PERFECTLY MATCH THE CHALLENGE

A project in business and science is typically defined as a collaborative enterprise, frequently involving research or design that is carefully planned to achieve a particular aim. Projects can be further defined as temporary rather than permanent social systems that are constituted by teams within or across organizations to accomplish particular tasks under time constraints. Our experience has shown that developing a management system is a project, which must be planned and lead by Top management in the organisation. It involves every member of the organisation and involves collaboration of teams and it must achieve a better organisation able to satisfy it’s obligations, be they quality, environment, occupational health and safety, etc., effectively.

It definitely require design and research in order to come up with a customised product that meet the organisation’s needs Management systems demand the application of the Deming cycle(Plan- Do-Check -Act loop). A project approach enables the application of theseconcepts earlier in the development process. It therefore helps the development of the correct culture earlier in the life of the system development process. Developing a management system is a practical exercise that cannot be taught in a lecture room and then results in the correct practical implementation. Any other approach is wasteful and can results in either still birth or baby dumping. While setting up a system is a noble cause it must be achieved or done right the first time around to maintain the collective positive energy. The experience of someone(project manager) who have successfully walked the road many times is valuable.

NO PAIN NO GAIN

A major component of a management system is people or human resources. This resource is different from all the other hardware and software that an organisation may own which can easily be reprogrammed without
consultation and persuasion. Management systems are about how we do things here. If people are not involved and they do not take part in the setting up of the system they will not own it. While it might be time consuming to train personnel and let them produce a system that works for them and gradually help them to see where problems will arise if they do not change, any other approach will not get theircooperation and support. Therefore, no

IT IS A CHOICE OF WHETHER TO ALLOW OTHERS TO BLOW YOUR TRUMPET OR NOT

A decision to get certified, just as the decision to develop a management system, is a strategic decision to be made by the top management of an organisation. Certification enables an independent body to confirm the existence of a
management system that complies with the international standard for the aspect (quality, environment, occupational health and safety, etc.) through an audit process. This body then tells all other stakeholders through the issue of a certificate. If a decision not to get certified is made, the organisation will have to tell other stakeholders about the existence of a conforming management system. The word of an independent body will be

A STANDARD IS AN APPROVED MODEL ANSWER TO THE PROBLEM

A standard is something considered by an authority or by general consent as a basis of comparison or an approved model. It is an agreed, repeatable way of doing something. System standards are international standards that are
developed by experts from all participating nations and agreed by consensus. They therefore represent an international solution to a known problem. This lands systems arising to certification because there is a basis for
comparison.

IT BRINGS YOU AT PAR WITH THE BEST IN YOUR INDUSTRY

International business managers testify of the following benefits of using international standards

• Help you compete on a level playing field with bigger enterprises
• Open up export markets for your products and services
• Help you discover best business practice
• Drive efficiency in your business operations
• Add credibility and confidence for your customers
• Open new business opportunities and sales
• Give you the competitive edge
• Make your brand name internationally recognized
• Enable a common “language” to be used across an industry sector
• Help your company grow

FOR MOST ORGANISATIONS IT IS ISO 9001 (QUALITY)

The standard which addresses the most significant risks the organisation is exposed to deserve to be addressed first. The main reason for existence for organisations is to serve it’s customers. Without customers, most organisations will not exist.

INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT IS POSSIBLE

It is possible to set out to develop a system that meets the requirements of more than one standard. The process is called integrated management system development. Most management system standards are compatible.They share a number of common requirements.

YES – JUST AS IT MATTERS WHO YOUR WITNESS IS IN COURT

Your certification body really matters. Their standing with the interested parties for the aspect you are certified to is of paramount importance. If they do not command any respect then your efforts will be in vain. Typically they must be accredited by a member of the International Accreditation Forum(IAF). They must be able to add value to your business and not just do paper work. Any auditor can just do the paper work a few can really add value.

AT THE END OF CONTRACT OR IN THE EVENT OF BREACH OR TERMINATION

Once you engage an Accredited Certification Body(ACB) for the certification of your system you normally enter into a contract of some sort with the body normally running for a period of up to three years. This is in line with the accreditation requirements as given in ISO 17021. This is why it is very important to make the right decision at the point when you are ready for certification. Once the contract is signed you can only change at the expiry of the contract or when it is terminated or breached for some reason. When termination or beach happens there are some ACBs who are willing to take-over a certification regime in the middle of the term.