• Better efficiency.
• Continual improvement. Less waste.
• Consistent control of key processes.
• Possible reduction in insurance premiums.
• Promotion and standardization of good working practices.
• Greater marketing appeal and improved public relations.
• Meeting the requirements for inclusion on some tender lists.
• Provision of a vehicle for training new employees.
• The effective management of risk.
• Provision of a vehicle for introducing a culture for opportunity.
• Increasing the potential for world-wide recognition.

• ISO 9000:2000 – Quality Management Systems: Concepts and Vocabulary.
• ISO 9001:2000 – Quality Management Systems: Requirements.
•  ISO 9004:2000 – Quality Management Systems: Guidance for Performance Improvement.
  
  Organizations will be assessed and awarded certification against ISO 9001:2000, whether or not they are involved in design.
  
  ISO 9004:2000 offers guidance on implementing a quality management system and although it is consistent with ISO 9001:2000 it is not intended for use for certification or contractual purposes.
  
  

Quality management system: This section details the general and documentation requirements that are the foundation of the management system. The general requirements ask you to look at the processes of the management system, how they interact with each other, what resources you need to run the processes; and how you will measure and monitor the processes. The second part of the section then sets out the requirements for the documentation needed to effectively operate the system and how the documentation should be controlled.

Management responsibility: The management of the systems is the responsibility of the “top management” at a strategic level in the organization. The “top management” must know customers’ requirements at a strategic level and make a commitment to meeting these as well as statutory and regulatory requirements. “Top management” must also set policies; and to achieve these policies set objectives through planning how the objectives will be met.
“Top management” should also ensure that there are clear internal communications and that the management system is regularly reviewed.

Resource management: This covers the people and physical resources needed to carry out the processes. People should be competent to carry out their tasks and the physical resources and work environment need to be capable of ensuring that the customers' requirements are met.

Product/Service realization: These are the processes necessary to produce the product or to provide the service. This is the act of converting the input of the process to the output. For a manufacturing organization, this may be the process of converting iron ore to steel via a blast furnace for example. For a service organization, this may be the process of moving a product or person from one place to another, for example, a taxi journey.
 

Measurement analysis and improvement: These are the measurements to enable the systems to be monitored to provide information on how the systems are performing with respect to the customer, the management systems themselves through internal audits, the processes and the product. Analyzing these, including any defect or shortfall in performance, will provide valuable information for use in improving the systems and products where this is required.