Get Every Department Involved in Quality, Or Pay for It

Quality depends on more than just the quality department.

How Audits Will Need to Change to Assess Quality Culture

As ISO 9001:2026 moves toward publication with a stronger focus on quality culture, organizations may need to rethink how they audit their management systems.

Lessons From ASQ's World Conference on Quality and Improvement

Mike Richman, Exemplar Global's Manager of Communications, reflects on the ideas and conversations that stood out to him at the American Society for Quality (ASQ) World Conference on Quality and Improvement (WCQI).

The Hidden Cost of Cheap IMS Consulting

Companies looking to implement an integrated management system (IMS) may be attracted by what appears to be a bargain.

Don't Expect Your QMS Engineer to Be a Superman

A single Quality Management System (QMS) engineer cannot be expected to handle every quality responsibility alone.

Is Your QMS Delivering Results or Digitizing Dysfunction?

Quality management systems should lead to measurable improvements in organizational performance, not simply documented processes.

ISO 17024:2026 Treats AI Based on Its Role in Certification

ISO/IEC 17024:2026 requirements for AI use in personnel certification depend on the role tools play in certification activities and decision-making.

No Point Pretending - Experienced Auditors Will See Through It

Experienced auditors can often tell within minutes whether a quality management system (QMS) is genuinely embedded in the organization or simply polished for audit day.

The Power to Change Things Matters More Than the Title

The ability to actually change things is what many people working in quality ultimately want from their careers, argues quality mentor Ekaterina Potemkina.

AI Tools Gain Ground in ISO 9001 Internal Audits

Artificial intelligence (AI) tools are increasingly being integrated into ISO 9001 internal audits to automate planning, analyze larger datasets, improve reporting, and support risk-based auditing aligned with ISO 19011, the international guidance standard for management systems auditing.

Is ISO 9001 Certification Worth It? It Depends

ISO 9001 still delivers value, but only for companies that use it to improve how they operate rather than treating certification as the final objective.

Auditors Do Not Need to Dominate the Room to Be Effective

Maintaining strong standards and effective compliance work does not mean that auditors need to be overly confrontational.

7 Reasons Workers Bypass Management Systems

Employees often ignore management systems not out of resistance, but because the systems are disconnected from real daily work, writes quality coach and mentor Ekaterina Potemkina. 

Critical Thinking as a Missing Skill in Audits

Critical and analytical thinking remain underdeveloped skills in many audit environments, writes Jörg Westphal, managing partner at Hellmund Die Personalberater.

Understanding Flexible Scope in Accreditation

Who decides whether a conformity assessment body can operate under a flexible scope in accreditation?

If Only Auditors Were Stacked on Shelves

If certification bodies worked like grocery stores, with auditors sitting ready on shelves whenever needed, life would certainly be easier for companies.

ISO 19011 Revision May Matter More Than ISO 9001 for Future Audits

ISO 19011:2026 could have a bigger practical impact on companies than the upcoming ISO 9001 revision because it will reshape how organizations prepare for audits and prove their management systems are effective.

Preparing for Ethics and Quality Culture Requirements in ISO 9001:2026

New ethics and quality culture requirements introduced in the Final Draft International Standard (FDIS) of ISO 9001 do not explicitly call for organizations to maintain formal evidence, yet

Quality Professionals Must Shape Their Role Before It Shapes Them

Quality professionals can become overwhelmed and lose focus when they do not actively define their role, a point raised by Ekaterina Potemkina of QUALITY-ALL-IN in an opinion piece. 

ISO 9001 As A Mirror For Exposing Hidden Process Gaps

Companies sometimes pursue ISO 9001 certification to meet customer demands, but even such motivation can lead to unexpected benefits once a quality management system is properly implemented.

Reasons Why Certification Audits Lose Their Edge

Certification audits can either challenge and strengthen organizations or simply help them tick the box, and concern is growing that the latter is becoming more common.

Missed Opportunity To Fix Known Issues: Where ISO 9001:2026 Falls Short

The ongoing revision of ISO 9001 introduces few meaningful changes to requirements and leaves known issues unresolved,

Reaching Quality Maturity Requires Simpler, More Effective Systems

Many quality systems become heavier over time, but maturity comes from making them work better, not adding more layers.

Quality Issues As Symptoms Of Weak Management Systems

What is often described as a quality issue may instead point to a weakness in how the organization is managed.