ISO 9004

What Is ISO 9004?

ISO 9004 is a set of standards written by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) to enhance the performance and sustainability of an organization's quality management system (QMS). ISO 9001 does not involve issuing requirements for Quality Management System certification, but ISO 9004 focuses on continual improvement, efficiency, and general organizational management.

These guidelines supply the organization with directions to pursue by considering the interests of more than one stakeholder. These include not only customers and shareholders but the workers and society at large. UN 9004 focuses on leadership, strategic planning, risk management, distribution of resources, and perpetual learning and improvement.

Companies that apply the standards can improve their QMS to speed up innovation, boost customer satisfaction, increase productivity, and, ultimately, survive in a dynamic business environment. ISO 90004 is a massive contribution to organizations striving for long-term success and to excel in quality management.

Example

An instance of ISO 9004 implementation for a manufacturing firm is using the template to precede the quality management standards of ISO 9001. The company will focus on strategic planning, leadership commitment, and continual improvement activities. The company heightens product quality, decreases waste, and improves operational efficiency by matching its quality objectives to the customer's demands. It imbues the organization with an effective risk management system, upgrades employees and engenders a culture of innovation and teamwork. This leads to the company keeping the ISO 9001 certification and achieving growth, satisfied customers and a competitive position in the market.