Implementing a Management System of any kind is a significant undertaking for an organization seeking business improvement. However, good planning and senior management support can significantly ease the process. For all Management Systems, there are some common tools to be used and a common process that can be followed during implementation:

1. UNDERSTAND THE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND ITS REQUIREMENTS

Senior Management Involvement
All people involved in taking the decision to implement the management system need a basic understanding of what is involved. Typically, when implementing a management system for the first time, senior management will take the implementation decision, but the responsibility for the actual implementation will lie with an implementation manager, such as the quality manager.

Ideally, the decision to implement the management system should be made by informed senior management, as their support is required throughout the implementation and long term use of the management system.

Read the standard
At some point this has to be done. It may seem daunting, but all people implementing the system should read it and familiarize themselves with it fully. For information on how to purchase standards please visit our Standards and Publications  sections.

Increase your understanding of the management system
A general understanding of the management system for both senior management and the quality manager can be found by reading guidance such as BSI's 'What is ISO 9001:2000?'.

It can also be of great benefit for senior management to attend a one day introductory training course. The implementation manager will also benefit from this, but may also wish to develop a greater understanding through more detailed courses and by reading publications such as ISO 9001:2000 The Route to Registration, or The ISO 14001 Handbook.

2. IMPLEMENT THE SYSTEM

3. REGISTER THE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

Once the management system is in place, to ensure its long term effectiveness it is important to become registered by a third party registration body.

Choosing a registrar

Choosing a registrar can be a complex process as there are many factors to consider, including:

• geographic coverage - some registrars only cover a small geographic area, others operate all around the world
• industry experience - some registrars will have auditors with experience from all industries, others will only cover a few
• accreditation - some registrars operate without it, some have a few, others have many accreditations- which do you want and how important is it to you.
• pricing structure and rates - some registars charge expenses on top of normal fees, others do not.  Look at the total cost over a number of years, not just at the cost in the first year.

What is important is that you take the time to find a registrar that will best fit your needs and requirements. 

The registration process

Once you have chosen a registrar that fits your needs, the certification process will generally involve the following steps:

• a voluntary pre-assessment
• initial assessment/certification audit
• the certification decision
• continuing assessments
• some registrars will also require you to have a full re-assessment after 3 years.  BSI does not.

4. PROMOTE AND MAINTAIN YOUR MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

After all the hard work of getting the management system implemented and registered, the benefits are not just internal. Promoting the fact that you have a registered management system to customers and other stakeholders can have significant benefits.

The maintenance and continual improvement of the management system come next. Like a business, the management system is a living thing and needs to be continually changed and updated in order to operate effectively. Maintenance and continual improvement throughout the continual assessment process are required in order to maintain registration.

The next step is to learn more about BSI Management Systems' registration services, or to find out about the registration process for each specific management system:

• Quality
• Environment
• Information Security
• Occupational Health and Safety
• Food Safety
• Complaints Management
• Integrated Assessment
• Automotive
• Aerospace
• Telecommunications
• Medical Device Manufacturing