ISO Mistake #12

Not getting top management commitment or appointing a champion with sufficient authority

Years ago, probably around the time when Michael Heseltine was President of the Board of Trade, there was a DTI (Department of Trade and Industry) video promoting the use of quality management and quality management tools. One of the characters in the video asked a question, something like, “What are the three most important things we need to do to ensure the successful implementation of a good management system?”

The answer was to get:

  • Top management commitment;
  • Top management commitment and;
  • Top management commitment.

 

The fact, that the above advice comes from a different century doesn’t diminish it in any way whatsoever.

Solution & resources

  • Develop a proper implementation plan detailing time scales and resources.

  • Ensure a main board director is on the implementation team.