ISO 9002

Log Out | Topics | Search Moderators | Register | Edit Profile

Author Message Jerome J. Lazar, RA, CCS, CSI, SCIP Senior Member Username: lazarcitec Post Number: 422 Registered: 05-2003 Posted on Wednesday, August 15, 2007 - 08:32 pm:    I know ISO 9002 is obsolete and has been replaced by ISO 9001-2000, however I need to explain to a chinese contractor in simple terms what it is, when does it apply to specifications and for which materials is it used as a quality standard - help would be appreciated - thanks. Mark Gilligan SE, CSI Senior Member Username: markgilligan Post Number: 200 Registered: 05-2005 Posted on Thursday, August 16, 2007 - 04:27 am:    ISO 9000 is based on a system where you define what you will do and then provide evidence that you have achieved what you said you will do. This requires that you have documented processes and procedures. In order to be ISO 9000 certified you need to be audited periodically. ISO 9000 is based on controlling your operation and thus it is inferred that you will produce more consistent quality of product. The system does not require high quality, instead it requires consistent quality. Much of the motivation to obtain ISO 9000 certification results from purchasers, primarily in Europe, requiring it as a condition of purchasing your product or service. It is effectively a means of prequalifying a supplier. There is some criticism of the ISO 9000 model due to its emphasis on documentation as opposed to improving quality. It should be noted that Toyota is not ISO 9000 certified. An interesting link is http://www.lean-service.com/6-22.asp John Bunzick, CCS, CCCA Senior Member Username: bunzick Post Number: 774 Registered: 03-2002 Posted on Thursday, August 16, 2007 - 08:41 am:    To emphasize what Mark states, ISO 9001 does not measure any particular performance characteristic of a product. However, it could possibly be useful in specs in one respect. If a company presents itself as making a product meeting ASTM X123 standard, being ISO quality certified gives assurance that they will consistently meet that standard. (Bragging: Our firm is ISO 9001 certified, one of the few design firms that is.) Phil Kabza Senior Member Username: phil_kabza Post Number: 275 Registered: 12-2002 Posted on Thursday, August 16, 2007 - 09:02 pm:    So John, does that mean that when I get a substitution request for a product that's accompanied by some 5th generation photocopies of an ASTM X123-89 test by a testing agency that no longer exists that I should maybe be a little uncomfortable? Anne Whitacre, FCSI CCS Senior Member Username: awhitacre Post Number: 620 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Friday, August 17, 2007 - 12:34 pm:    so John, you're certified for what? You define that you do "architecture" and then I guess define what "architecture " is, and then ... you prove you do "architecture"? how do you certify a service that is so poorly defined within itself? George A. Everding, AIA, CSI, CCS, CCCA Senior Member Username: geverding Post Number: 343 Registered: 11-2004 Posted on Friday, August 17, 2007 - 12:44 pm:    "Poorly defined, indeed!" he blustered. "Architecture is defined by the LAW." Of course, that doesn't keep computer people from using "Systems Architect", or even worse, from using "architect" as a verb, as in "He architected that system." (ugh!) George A. Everding, AIA, CSI, CCS, CCCA Senior Member Username: geverding Post Number: 344 Registered: 11-2004 Posted on Friday, August 17, 2007 - 02:04 pm:    By the way, I was surprised to learn after hearing Timberlake mention ISO certification in his keynote, that our firm had been looking into it. John, I assume you have gotten ISO 9001 certified because you do international work? That seems to be the motivation here. John Bunzick, CCS, CCCA Senior Member Username: bunzick Post Number: 776 Registered: 03-2002 Posted on Saturday, August 18, 2007 - 10:25 am:    Our motivation was, and still is, to be more competitive within one of our key markets--science and technology. Those companies are typically ISO 9001, so it matters to them. It also is useful in its own right to keep up our quality and profitability.