Critical Path Achieves ISO 9001

ISO Services

June 13, 2023

At Critical Path, we continuously review our services to ensure we can offer our customers the best experience possible. We proudly announce that our United Arab Emirates office has achieved ISO 9001 certification. 

Achieving this certification cements our commitment to our clients and means that we truly practice what we preach by complying with the same standards we sell. What exactly is ISO 9001 accreditation, and what are some of the biggest benefits? We decided to take a closer look. 

What is ISO 9001:2015?

ISO 9001:2015 is known as the leading standard for quality management. The framework is designed to improve businesses, boost profits, and reach more customers. This certification lays out the steps companies need to follow to set up a quality management system.

A Quality Management System (QMS) is a structured plan that outlines how to achieve an organisation’s goals and quality standards. By implementing a QMS, businesses can organise their activities to meet both regulations and customer needs effectively.

ISO 9001 aims to ensure that companies meet customer expectations and other stakeholders’ needs. It’s widely used worldwide, with over a million certified companies benefiting from its guidelines.

The comprehensive ISO 9001:2015 standard covers a wide range of methodology and information that covers an extensive range of areas, including:

• Requirements for a QMS, including how to plan for one and how to determine process interactions.
• The overall responsibilities of the management team. 
• How you can manage your resources and work environment. 
• How you should design and deliver new products.
• How you can analyse and improve your QMS via regular audits. 

The ISO 9001:2015 standard is based on the seven core principles of customer focus, leadership, engagement of people, process approach, improvement, evidence-based decision-making, and relationship management. The importance of these seven principles will depend on the organisation, and they can also change over time in response to market influence.

What are the benefits of ISO 9001:2015?

Now we have explored the question, “what is ISO 9001 certification?” the next question is what are the benefits that it brings? For us here at Critical Path, it is an important milestone in our business and demonstrates our commitment to our clients. However, achieving the ISO 9001 certification can also provide your business with a wide range of benefits, including:

Boost your revenue

A big advantage of ISO 9001 certification is that it can help your business boost its income. Organisations can leverage the standard’s prestigious reputation for potential customers, allowing them to stand out from their competitors and win more tenders and contracts. The ISO 9001:2015 standard can also help you increase retention rates among your existing clients. 

Meet customer expectations

When organisations start looking for new suppliers, having the ISO 9001:2015 standard as part of your pitch proposal will ensure you can meet their expectations. For businesses operating within the public sector, having an ISO 9001 QMS is often an essential requirement. 

Improve customer satisfaction

Another significant advantage of achieving the standard for your organisation is that it can help you improve your customer satisfaction levels. The standard will help you understand their needs while having strict processes in place, reducing the risk of errors that can damage clients’ confidence in your abilities. 

Greater efficiency

Being able to implement an ISO 9001:2015 standard quality management system means you are implementing the industry’s best practices. Alongside helping you focus on quality, these practices will also help to maximise your team’s efficiency. 

Having your entire team working towards the same goals and agenda will also help to enhance their overall communication and engagement with your business. This will help them to feel a core part of the company, ensuring they are happier and more productive. 

Make better decisions

The standard is focused on delivering a clear set of practices for your entire team to follow. By following these procedures, you will gain a vast understanding of your operations and can use that information to make more informed decisions. 

Create a culture of development

An ISO 9001:2015 standard quality management system is about creating a systematic approach that helps you provide the best experience possible for your customers. This involves regular auditing and reviewing to ensure you are meeting your clients’ ever-changing demands. Adopting these practices for your business will help create a company-wide culture of development. 

Build better relationships with suppliers

Of course, ISO 9001:2015 is not just about improving your actions. By incorporating the best practices into your business, you will be able to create more efficient relationships with your supply chain as well as other stakeholders. 

How to achieve ISO 9001 certification

Now that we have explored what ISO 9001 certification is and its benefits, the final step is to explore how you can achieve this for your business. To help you, we have taken a look at some of the key steps that you need to consider:

Step 1: Initial Assessment

Start your ISO certification journey with confidence through Critical Path’s expert initial assessment. Our experienced consultants will thoroughly evaluate your organisation’s current quality management practices. This includes a comprehensive gap analysis to identify areas for improvement and opportunities for optimisation.

Step 2: Planning and Strategy Development

Work with our experts to develop a tailored plan and strategy for achieving ISO 9001 certification. Together, we’ll establish clear objectives, define roles and responsibilities, and devise a roadmap for implementation. We aim to ensure seamless alignment between quality management requirements and your organisation’s overarching goals and values.

Step 3: Documentation Development

Let Critical Path guide you through the development of essential ISO 9001 documentation. Our consultants will work closely with your team to create a comprehensive suite of documents, including:

Quality Manual: A central document that outlines your organisation’s quality management system and demonstrates your commitment to meeting ISO requirements.

Procedures: Documented procedures detailing how various quality management processes are carried out within your organisation.

Work Instructions: Detailed instructions that guide employees on how to perform specific tasks and activities in accordance with quality standards.

Forms: Templates for recording data, information, and observations related to quality management processes.

Records: Documentation of key activities, events, and outcomes to demonstrate compliance with ISO 9001 standards.

Each document is meticulously customised to suit your organisation’s needs and requirements.

Step 4: Implementation and Training

Implementing quality management requirements is made easy with our comprehensive training and support services. Our consultants will provide thorough training on ISO 9001 principles and best practices to equip your team with the knowledge and skills needed for successful implementation. Additionally, we’ll conduct internal audits to ensure ongoing compliance and readiness for certification.

Step 5: Mock Audit

Prepare for the certification audit confidently through Critical Path’s mock audit services. Our experts will conduct a rigorous review of your quality management system, simulating the conditions of the official assessment. By identifying areas for improvement and providing valuable feedback, we’ll help enhance your readiness and optimise your chances of certification success.

Step 6: Verification Audit

While Critical Path does not conduct the verification audit, we offer ongoing support to ensure your readiness for the certification assessment. We’ll guide you in engaging an independent auditing body for the verification audit process. Our consultants remain available to address any concerns and optimise your preparedness, maximising your chances of achieving ISO 9001 certification.

Are you ready to get your business certified to ISO 9001? 

We are incredibly proud that our UAE office has achieved ISO 9001 certification. If you want to discover how you can get your business certified, our team is here to help. At Critical Path, we are committed to working closely with our clients, providing tailored guidance and support to help them successfully achieve and continually manage ISO 9001. 

Want to learn more about our services and how we can help you? Get in touch with our friendly team today!