How to implement a process approach

Starting the implementation of a quality management system, we are all faced with the basic requirement of ISO 9001-2008 on the organization's application of a process approach to management. Implementation of the process approach will require noticeable efforts from the organization manager, but the effect of this implementation will not go unnoticed.

The first step is to present the work of the entire organization as a set of different types of activities to transform the expectations, needs and requirements of their customers into the products (services) they need. In order for the organization’s work to be coordinated and lead to the desired results, all activities of the organization must be represented as processes that transform inputs (materials, information, etc.) into outputs (products, services, processed information, etc.).

For each selected process, it is necessary to determine what resources (monetary, material, human, etc.) it should be provided with and what should be the specific result of each process. Regarding the results of the process, it should be noted that the more clearly the requirements for the result are formulated, the easier it will be for staff to realize the extent of their contribution to the organization’s activities and the more transparent the entire organization management system will be.

To ensure process control, a process owner is assigned. The owner of the process is the person who controls the process and is responsible for achieving the desired result of the process.

To ensure the possibility of continuous improvement of the organization’s activities, it is necessary to provide in advance the possibility of accumulation and systematic analysis of data on the effectiveness and efficiency of processes.

After the methodological part of the work on the implementation of the process approach is completed, you can begin practical steps. First of all, it is necessary to conduct appropriate briefings of the personnel on the process approach, bring requirements to the results of the processes, ensure that the staff understands the relationship of all processes of the organization and the importance of each process in the overall results of the organization.

In order to ensure the involvement of personnel in the process of continuous improvement of the organization’s activities, it is worthwhile to work out an appropriate personnel motivation system in advance, aiming personnel to achieve the required process results.