Certifications often drive the implementation of a system approach, based on ISO standards. The primary implementation demand is for ISO 9001. Certifications do have initial costs and then recurring costs for surveillance and recertification visits. This is a responsive approach to business requirements, invariably driven by a forthcoming contract that mandates the system approach. Prudent businesses appreciate the risk of not having a process-based system.

When budgets are tight, supply chains are challenging, and retaining employees is difficult, it is all the more essential that organizations invest in a good management system. As W. Edwards Deming said, “A bad system will let down a good person every time.”

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