The consultancy process consists of several standard stages. The duration allocated to each stage varies depending on the business profile and the complexity of the management system being analysed.
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1. First Stage - Initiating the Consultancy Process
- Establishing contact
- Introductory discussions
- Negotiating contractual terms
- Signing the consultancy contract
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2. Second Stage - Initial Evaluation. Objectives of this stage include:
- Comparing the current activity system with the requirements of the reference standard
- Identifying technical and organizational elements as well as current practices
- Identifying non-conformities relative to the reference standard's requirements
- Identifying critical points in the activity flow and deficiencies that lead to additional costs for the organization
- Evaluating existing human and material resources
- Assessing the existing record-keeping and documentation systems
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3. Third Stage - System Design
Based on the Evaluation Report from the initial assessment, the documentation design phase begins.
Processes involved in this stage:
- Identifying the methods and tools needed to meet the management requirements defined in the reference standard
- Establishing the structure of the system documentation to be implemented
- Creating an action plan for the future stages of the consultancy program
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4. Fourth Stage - Management Training
Top and middle management must first understand the importance of implementing the quality management system. They need to train their teams, as the success of future actions largely depends on this communication.
To this end, a seminar course is organized for management awareness, covering the following topics:
- Quality: concept and evolution
- ISO standards in quality
- Accreditation and certification
- Organizing the quality system
- Quality management system documentation
- Costs of quality
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5. Fifth Stage - Documentation Preparation
The documentation must include:
- The quality manual
- Quality system procedures
- Work instructions and process descriptions
- Other quality documents (depending on the activity profile)
This stage also defines the structure of the Project Team:
- Appointing a Quality Assurance Manager as the Project Coordinator
- Forming a Coordination Committee consisting of heads of key departments
- Proposing working teams for each system procedure and process
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6. Sixth Stage - Implementation
The quality system defined in the previous stage is implemented at the client’s site with the consultant’s assistance. Activities include:
- Internal audits under the consultant’s guidance to identify non-conformities or implementation issues
- Workshops to analyze non-conformities and establish corrective and preventive actions
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7. Seventh Stage - Pre-certification Audit
- Conducting an audit of the implemented quality system, strictly limited to the reference standard's requirements
- This audit concludes with non-conformity reports and a final recommendation report
- The consultant recommends a certification body they collaborate with and provides necessary assistance throughout the certification process
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8. Eighth Stage - Certification Audit Assistance
Contacting the certification body, negotiating the certification contract, and providing assistance during the certification audit.
