Process Management and Control

Process management and control are critical components of an effective Quality Management System (QMS) as defined by ISO 9001.

These practices involve planning, implementing, monitoring, and refining processes to consistently produce outputs that meet customer requirements and enhance satisfaction.

Proper control ensures that every stage of the process operates reliably, minimizing errors, waste, and risks while optimizing resource use.

What is Process Management and Control?

Process management refers to identifying, defining, and systematically managing the activities that transform inputs into desired outputs.

Control involves applying methods and measures to ensure processes meet specified requirements and produce consistent results over time.

This means organizations must plan and regulate processes, considering factors such as sequence, interaction, resources, responsibilities, criteria, and performance indicators.

How Process Management and Control Work in ISO 9001

Organizations following ISO 9001 must:

1. Plan and implement processes required to deliver products or services that meet quality standards.

2. Determine criteria and methods needed to ensure process effectiveness and control.

3. Assign responsibilities and authorities for process management to accountable personnel.

4. Manage risks and opportunities related to each process to prevent failures and maximize improvement.

5. Monitor, measure, and analyze process performance using appropriate data and indicators.

6. Implement actions to address nonconformities and enhance process capability.

7. Ensure availability of resources, including trained personnel, infrastructure, and environment.

Taking a process approach means recognizing the interrelation and interaction between different processes and managing them as a cohesive system. By doing so, organizations can achieve greater efficiency, quality, and adaptability.