Public and private owners are requiring the construction and design professionals they retain to have a proven quality management system as a standard business practice. To demonstrate to their clients that they are committed to meeting project requirements, contractors are searching for new techniques that will enhance the quality of their performance efforts. Responding to this growing demand and the needs of other industries in the global marketplace, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO)—a global federation of national standards organizations based in Geneva, Switzerland—has developed the ISO 9000 series of quality management standards. The American Society for Quality Control (ASQC) and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) have published an identical, corresponding series of American National Standards called the ANSI/ASQC Q9000 series.

Architecture/engineering (A/E) and construction firms are beginning to adapt the ISO 9000 and ANSI/ASQC Q9000 standards to their industry in an effort to develop compliant quality management systems. The standards provide a framework for a contractor to use in fashioning its quality system. Although they only establish the baseline requirements, the standards are flexible enough to allow for the development of an individualized system that accommodates the unique needs of an organization.

In addition to developing and implementing a quality policy that conforms to the standards, some contractors are also registering their quality systems. To enhance their ability objectively to judge a contractor’s quality control efforts, some owners now require third-party registration of the contractor’s quality system as a threshold eligibility factor for project award. Owners may also find that a contractor’s documented application of the ISO 9000 or ANSI/ASQC Q9000 standards simplifies their quality assurance efforts throughout performance and provides a reliable means of managing an important source of project risk.

The standards are not intended to achieve uniform quality systems within industries because their role is limited to providing a general guidance and baseline requirements for developing and implementing an organizational quality management system. Nevertheless, by establishing a quality system compliant with the internationally recognized parameters outlined in the ISO 9000 and ANSI/ASQC Q9000 standards, organizations not only will improve the quality of their services or products, but also will be in a position to provide assurance to their customers that their quality system satisfies the fundamental precepts of quality management accepted by the global community.

COURSE CURRICULUM

1. ISO 9000 PLANNING & DECISION-MAKING
   1. Pre-Assessment
   2. Commitment
   3. Preparation
   4. Education
   5. Corrective & Preventive Action
   6. Documentation
2. ISO 9000 ELEMENTS DEFINED
   1. Management Responsibility
   2. Quality System
   3. Contract Review
   4. Design Control
   5. Document Control
   6. Purchasing
   7. Customer-Supplied Products
   8. Product Identification & Traceability
   9. Process Control
   10. Inspection & Testing
   11. Inspection, Measuring, & Test Equipment
   12. Inspection and Test Status
   13. Control of Nonconforming Product
   14. Corrective Action
   15. Handling, Storage, Packaging, and Delivery
   16. Quality Records
   17. Internal Quality Audits
   18. Training
   19. Servicing
   20. Statistical Techniques
3. THE STEPS TO ISO 9000 CERTIFICATION
   1. Audit For Current Compliance To Standards
   2. Meet With Management & Staff-Orientation To Applicable ISO Standards
   3. Outline Quality Manual Draft
   4. Establish & Post Quality Policy
   5. Install Quality Organization-Devise Organizational Chart and Job Descriptions
   6. Install Document Control
   7. Write Procedure & Form Drafts-Ongoing
   8. Approve & Issue Procedures & Forms-Ongoing
      1. Install Processes & Procedures
      2. Install process control
      3. Install training-have staff & management document previous training & future needs
      4. Install calibration requirements
      5. Install contract review
      6. Install design control
      7. Install purchasing
      8. Install corrective/preventive action
      9. Install customer-supplied product
      10. Install ID & traceability
      11. Install inspection and test status
      12. Install control of nonconforming product
      13. Install statistical techniques
      14. Install receiving, in process, & final inspection
      15. Install handling, shipping, package & delivery
      16. Install servicing
      17. Install quality records-identify all locations
   9. Apply For Registration
   10. Install Quality System-Flow Chart & Procedure Check
   11. Conduct Internal Quality Audit
   12. Conduct Management Review-Review Shortcomings & Corrective Actions Required
   13. Finalize Quality Manual
   14. Pre-Audit For Compliance (Internal by Consultant)
   15. Audit By External Party
   16. ISO Registration
4. REVIEW, SUMMARY, & CASE STUDY