Kindly see answers to your query as mentioned below:
Finalization of Consultant
There are many versatile and expert consultants available in the market like BVQI, TUV, and BIS. It is always advisable to go to reputable and domain-specific consultants in the respective field. The best approach is to get offers from a minimum of three consultants and prepare a comparative evaluation sheet to decide which fits best to your requirements. Criteria for evaluation could be cost, quality, service level, years of experience, number of certifications issued, and value-added services offered by the consultant.
Required Skill Sets to Act as Management Representative
To be a good management representative, as per my experience, you need to possess and develop the following competencies:
- Good understanding of QMS & ISO 9001 standards
- Thorough understanding of business and customer requirements
- Quality tools and basic statistics
- Understanding of business processes and shop floor activities (if the domain is manufacturing)
- Helicopter view of the organization, in other words, how it is creating value for customers (inputs, outputs, and control measures)
- Strong observation and communication skills for auditing
- Good people and interpersonal skills
- Diplomatic, ethical, decisive, self-reliant, clear, versatile, etc.
- Good relationship with external audit and liaison agencies
Time Frame for Completion of ISO 9001 Process & Implementation
Generally, it depends on the size and nature of the organization. Implementation involves training people, documentation, implementation, audit, and certification award. On average, it takes 6-9 months.
Will a Non-IT Graduate Like Me Be Able to Act as MR?
If you are coming from an engineering background, it would certainly be an added advantage. However, it doesn't mean that if one has graduated from another stream, it will limit them from becoming a good MR. It is just a myth.
Additional Suggestions
The success of the implementation of the ISO 9001 - QMS standard purely depends on involvement and commitment from top management. Make sure before embarking on the project to get the go-ahead from top management and the resources and finances needed. Also, everybody in the organization needs to be involved as part of the implementation to play their roles. People involvement is a must for successful implementation. It is people who can make or break the implementation.
Good luck. If you need any further assistance, feel free to get in touch with me.
Regards,
Raju Prasad
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