Selecting the right ISO consultant is vital, particularly for organisations undergoing the certification process for the first time. Most organisations hire a consultant to help implement a management system, often to achieve ISO certification and enforce its associated benefits.
In fact, due to their proficiency, some organisations retain the ISO consultant even after the implementation to act as their internal auditor or management representative. There is no doubt that an ISO consultant can become a valuable addition to your organisation, either on a long-term or a temporary basis.
However, similar to any other business partnership, the selection of the right candidate validates the entire partnership. So, what key considerations should you focus on during your search for an ISO consultant? In this article, we will highlight some criteria that you should factor in.
How to choose an ISO consultant in Australia?
The selection process for an ISO consultant can become unnecessarily complicated; however, here is a list of considerations that can significantly simplify the process.
• Have an apparent reason: Be clear about why you hire an ISO consultant. Management system standards and management systems cover various disciplines across the full range of organisational functions. Depending on where you have started, it is critical to decide on the resources and supports you would need for adequate functioning. Consultants can perform a range of roles including advisory, management, implementation or ongoing support. When they act as advisors, they interpret the standards and guide managers on implementation.
When they act as managers, they help manage the implementation part, entirely or partially. When they act as an implementor, they provide extra hands-on resources during the implementation process by undertaking specific tasks like the internal audit. When they provide ongoing support, they perform regular activities such as audits. To decide what level of support you need, begin to introspect about your organisation’s current level. If your organisation has no formal management system, you can ask the consultant to perform a gap analysis and provide an estimate for implementation. If your organisation has a mix of formal management system elements and informal ad-hoc management techniques, a consultant can help provide you with a structure. Similarly, if your organisation has implemented a formal management system, the consultant can ensure that your management system is ready for a certification audit by performing internal audits.
• Look for relevant experience: Your consultant must have relevant experience to build a successful working relationship. Your consultant should have industry knowledge so that they have expertise in your organisation’s industry and experience with its core activities. Similarly, your consultant should have relevant management system experience and a track record of successfully implementing management systems in the relevant disciplines.
Some examples of disciplines include quality management, environmental management and health and safety. Additionally, the consultant should also have relevant standard experience in interpreting and implementing the requirements of the chosen standard. Some popular standards include ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001.
• Certification body allegiance: If your goal is to acquire certification, it is essential to know if your consultant has a good relationship with different certification bodies so that they can further guide you in the certification process.
• Establishing rapport: You will spend a lot of time with your ISO consultant, who will have close access to your people and processes.
This is why building a good rapport with your consultant is vital, so mutual trust can naturally develop. Here, a practical recommendation is to have a face-to-face meeting before finalising your ISO consultant so you can build rapport and identify their working style.
• Understanding their approach: Depending on the scale, scope and size of your management system, your consultant may utilise various techniques. It means that as per the technique utilised, and they would require different levels of cooperation and support. Therefore, it becomes vital to understand the implementation methodology long before it begins. An in-depth understanding will help you identify if you have adequate resources to work together effectively.
Remember, your ISO consultant will not only need your resources but will also require your time and energy to ensure effective implementation. This is why it is crucial to understand their expectations before you commit to them.
If you are looking for an expert consultant to obtain ISO 9001 certification in Australia, just visit the ISO 9001 consultant Australia site. You can get your certificate in less than 3 weeks.
• Cost and contract: We understand that it is a rarity to have a limitless budget, but cost should never be the deciding factor for selecting a consultant. The majority of the consultants will charge a fixed project course in advance. So, when you develop the contract, you must understand what is included and what isn’t, such as travel, service level agreements and who owns the intellectual property.
• Check references: Most consultants publish client testimonials and critical studies on their websites, and going through their credentials will help you make an informed decision.
Conclusion
Following the tips mentioned above, choosing a consultant will become easy, giving you the confidence that your management system will be implemented and improved. These tips help you choose the “best ISO consultant in Australia.”
If you want to get more information about ISO 9001 certification, just visit the ISO 9001 certification Australia page. This page can complete the information received in this article.