According to a report from the London-based Centre for Economics and Business Research, a dollar invested in improving an organization’s approach to quality management results in a six-fold return in increased revenues, and a 16-fold reduction in expenses. The promise of dramatic improvements is just one of the reasons why organizations worldwide are embracing quality management and seeking certification to international quality standards such as ISO 9001.

Developing and maintaining a certified quality management system can be daunting. However, organizations often implement quality programs that are far more complex than needed because they fail to see quality management as an integral part of day-to-day operations.

As a certified auditor in the manufacturing, service, aerospace, medical, and telecommunications industries, I’ve observed where quality management programs typically fall short of expectations. I’ve also learned about best practices that organizations in any industry can easily adopt while developing a quality management system that meets the requirements of quality standards.

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