ISO 9001 - Clause 6.2 Quality objectives and planning to achieve them

by Maya G

ISO 9001:2015, section 6.2 requires that an organization shall establish quality objectives at relevant functions, levels and processes needed for the quality management system (QMS). These objectives must be measurable and consistent with the quality policy of the organization.

The planning process to achieve these objectives involves identifying the necessary resources, determining the actions required, establishing criteria for measuring progress and evaluating the results.

To meet the requirements of this section, an organization should follow the following steps:

  • Establish quality objectives: Quality objectives should be established based on the quality policy of the organization, customer requirements, and other relevant requirements. Objectives should be measurable, achievable and consistent with the overall strategic goals of the organization.
  • Develop action plans: The organization should develop action plans to achieve the quality objectives. These plans should identify the necessary resources, such as people, materials, and equipment, and specify the actions required to achieve the objectives.
  • Establish criteria for measuring progress: The organization should establish criteria for measuring progress towards achieving the quality objectives. These criteria should be measurable and should be used to determine the effectiveness of the action plans.
  • Evaluate the results: The organization should regularly evaluate the results of the quality objectives and take corrective action if necessary. The results should be used to improve the QMS and to identify areas for improvement.

By following these steps, an organization can ensure that its quality objectives are aligned with its overall strategy and that the necessary resources and actions are in place to achieve them. Regular evaluation of the results helps the organization to continually improve the QMS and to meet the changing needs of its customers and stakeholders.

What does Clause 6.2 of the ISO 9001 standard require an organization's quality management system to include?

Clause 6.2 of the ISO 9001 standard requires an organization's quality management system (QMS) to include the following:

  • Establishing quality objectives: The organization must establish quality objectives that are measurable, consistent with the quality policy, and relevant to the organization's products, services, and processes.
  • Planning to achieve quality objectives: The organization must develop plans to achieve its quality objectives. This includes determining the resources needed, identifying the actions required, and establishing criteria for measuring progress.
  • Implementing quality objectives: The organization must implement its plans to achieve its quality objectives. This includes assigning responsibilities, providing training, and allocating resources.
  • Monitoring and measuring progress: The organization must monitor and measure progress towards its quality objectives. This includes using criteria established in the planning phase to determine whether the objectives are being met.
  • Evaluating performance: The organization must evaluate its performance with respect to its quality objectives. This includes reviewing data, conducting internal audits, and taking corrective and preventive actions as necessary.
  • Reviewing the QMS: The organization must review the effectiveness of its QMS. This includes assessing whether the quality objectives are still relevant, whether the plans are working, and whether improvements are needed.

Overall, Clause 6.2 requires the organization to establish and maintain a system for planning, implementing, monitoring, and improving its quality objectives. This helps ensure that the organization's products, services, and processes meet the needs and expectations of its customers and stakeholders.

What is the objective of ISO 9001 6.2 quality management? 

The objective of ISO 9001 - 6.2 Quality Management is to ensure that an organization's quality objectives are established, planned, implemented, monitored, and continually improved. The focus is on creating a systematic approach to quality management that aligns with the organization's overall strategy and goals.

By establishing measurable quality objectives, organizations can ensure that they are meeting the needs and expectations of their customers and other stakeholders. Through planning, implementation, and monitoring of these objectives, organizations can identify areas for improvement and take corrective and preventive actions to continuously improve their processes and products.

The objective of ISO 9001 - 6.2 is to help organizations build a culture of continuous improvement, where quality is embedded in every aspect of their operations. This ultimately leads to increased customer satisfaction, better business performance, and greater competitiveness in the marketplace.