ISO 9001 Training

Understanding ISO 9001:2008
Requirements for Quality Management Systems

5.5.1 Responsibility & Authority

ISO 9001 Training - Key Explanation Points and Tips:

Top management must establish the organization necessary to deploy the QMS. It must define the structure, hierarchy and lines of reporting. Additionally, (perhaps, through the assistance of the Human Resources function), it must ensure that duties, responsibilities and authority of all personnel are defined and communicated. All personnel must be clear on their duties, responsibilities and authority in meeting customer and regulatory requirements.

Organization charts, job descriptions, procedures, work instructions, etc, are some of the many ways that top management may use to define and document this.  

These must be communicated and deployed, as applicable, throughout the organization. Orientation packages; appointment postings; sign-off on job descriptions; training on procedures and work instructions, etc, are some of the many ways in accomplishing this.

The organization structure and lines of reporting; responsibility and authority of managerial functions and departments may be established by top management (business planning) and the responsibilities and authorities for the rest of the organization may be established by the HR function working with various process owners. Again, this would depend on the size, complexity and culture of the organization.

The effective planning, operation and control of internal communication processes may be demonstrated through the performance indicators described in the first paragraph of this section above. Documentation of control methods could include technical manuals; training provided; signage; computer system; etc.

The performance indicators for the business planning; HR process and QMS processes may be used to determine the effectiveness of planning and managing the organizational structure, responsibilities and authorities.