For years now, I’ve noticed the increasing populatarity and search engine results for the discussion group and forum Elsmar.com. Be it research or collaboration you’re looking for, Elsmar’s virtual water-cooler for Quality Geeks the world over is a great resource.
Quick FREE conference call tool in a pinch
April 23, 2010Many times I find myself in a pinch with regard to communicating with our consultants or customers in multiple geographical locations. As a fan of avoiding costly monthly subscriptions and buying more equipment than we need, a simple solutions such as http://www.freeconference.com/ has proven to be a great option.
This service is web-based with no required software downloads. Click here – Introductory Movie - for a video overview of this service.
The new face of CMSi
January 29, 2010Welcome to the new face of CMSi! We are very excited to call Charleston, SC our new home in 2010.
Concentric Management Systems, Inc. is an advisory group specializing in quality assurancy and process improvement. Our team of consultants specialize in management tools and system implementation related to ISO 9001, ISO/TS 16949, ISO 14001 and AS9100 certification.
We hope you enjoy the new and dynamic website, blogs, posts and information sharing tools that will be provided at no charge.
May the new CMSi find you well in the new year!
Is Social Media a Fad?
January 8, 2010I was sent this video by a collegue (Thanks Mr. Noobie – see www.noobie.com). The timing couldn’t have been better as we shift our web presence from the old to the next generation. Check this out and let us know what you think.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIFYPQjYhv8
-JRT
BREAKING NEWS: Boeing is coming to Charleston
October 28, 2009Boeing announced late today that they will bring their 2nd 787 Assembly line plant to North Charleston. This is outstanding news for the Charleston area.
Early expectations of direct employment needs are around 1200-1300. The additional supplier relocations, contingency workers and immediate construction needs will certainly require the hands of thousands within the lowcountry.
Approximately 55 airlines have years of back-orders associated with the 787 airplane.
“Establishing a second 787 assembly line in Charleston will expand our production capability to meet the market demand for the airplane,” said Jim Albaugh, President & CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “This decision allows us to continue building on synergies we have established in South Carolina with Boeing Charleston and Global Aeronautica.”
-JRT
CMSi to launch new look for 2010
September 30, 2009The long-standing look of Concentric Management System has come to an end. We will be launching a new look along with the new website for launch in December 2009. This extreme makeover accompanies the next generation of management system services and new home for the company.
The second rendition of our website served us well and, basically, remained static for years. While our the customer base has typically been tolerate of basic information on course schedules, FAQs, etc., we are all seeing the capability of social media and instant information. Therefore, it only makes sense - as a company that coaches others on continuous improvement – to bring the latest and greatest information to our existing and future customers.
Within the next few months, we will morph into a new age of useful information and means for updates. We are very excited to discover the possibilities that lie ahead as an organization that relies so much on intelletual resources.
We encourage you to be a part of our development during this exciting phase in organizational opportunities.
-JRT
Expected Changes for ISO 9001:2008
November 7, 2007The ISO 9000 family of documents and standards continue to be the international baseline for good management practices as an effort to enhance organizational controls and predictability for quality requirements. Since the initial release of the ISO 9000 family of documents in 1987, this quality management system standard has grown throughout the world as the standard quality business model for nearly a million organizations in over 160 countries. With such a significant worldwide application, changes to this family of international standards have a rippling effect often requiring additional resources for training and implementation. The effects are not only felt directly with those organizations subscribing to ISO 9001, but also those sector-specific management systems such as ISO/TS 16949 (automotive) and AS9100 (aerospace) that use the ISO 9001 requirements as the building blocks of their respective standards. Any changes to the “building blocks” consequently require significant changes to the business practices of those in that sector (i.e. The transition from QS-9000 to ISO/TS 16949:2002). So how can you best prepare for the expected changes that lie ahead?
During the February 2007 International Conference on ISO 9000 – the leading conference on ISO 9000 and related standards – several workshops and presentations focused on the suspected changes to the current 2000 version. Two primary points that seemed to be common denominators throughout the conference was the pressure to better align the ISO 9000 series documents with the ISO 14000 (environmental) series, as well as developing changes that would minimize the cost of implementing the changes. With the growing demand on supply chains to participate in both a quality and environmental certification process, the strain of the additional resources to implement and maintain two or more systems has been a focus on this new revision. According to a 1996 Quality Systems Update survey[1], the average cost of ISO certification for small firms (those registering less than $11 million in annual sales) was $71, 000. With such a high price tag in order to be considered a player in some business sectors, it is no wonder why so many organizations are trying to get a sneak-peek into the changes ahead.
The following list summarizes some of the key points that are probable with the release of the new standard in 2009:
- Expected release date is Q2 2009, therefore making the next registration scheme applicable to the “ISO 9001:2008” international standard · Focus on changes with high benefit (i.e. addressing confusing points, inconsistencies and verbiage associated with poor translation) and low impact (i.e. minimal changes related to documentation, training, education)· Providing guidance to top management for sustainable success
· No major changes to the terms & definitions (currently the ISO 9000:2000 document)
· Minor changes to the ISO 9001 standard (referred to as “amendments”)
· Major changes to the ISO 9004 document with a key focus on “sustainable success” rather than a guideline or interpretation of the ISO 9001 standard
· Improved compatibility with other international standards such as ISO 14001:2004 (environmental) so common elements of the standard can be implemented without duplication or separate systems
· Clarification on the design requirements (clause 7.3)
· Clarification on the “process approach”; ISO 9001:2000 process approach model will be maintained
· Guidance on outsourced processes.
· The role of Six Sigma and Lean in the management system implementation and how ISO 9000 can support these improvement tools
The transition period from the 2000 revision to the 2008 revision will likely be around 18 months, and may vary from one National Registration Body to the next.
The American Society for Quality’s online bookstore Quality Press periodically publishes the committee drafts for review and comment throughout the various stages of development of the new standard. The next draft is tentatively scheduled for review in Q3 2007. ASQ offers a service that will contact you and allow you to offer comments about the current draft online at no charge. Visit http://www.asq.org/draft-standard-request.html to fill out a request for notification.
The following resources may also be beneficial in monitoring the changes ahead:
The American Society for Quality: http://www.asq.org/index.htmlInternational Organization for Standardization: http://www.iso.orgISO/TC176 (Technical Committee): http://www.tc176.org About the author: James R. Thompson is the President of Concentric Management Systems, Inc. and a QMS Lead Auditor for QMI. He has over 13 years of management system and quality engineering experience and is in his fifth year of assisting organizations with productivity, quality and customer satisfaction improvements. Mr. Thompson is a Senior Member of the American Society for Quality and a board member as the Educational and Newsletter Chairman for the Columbus, Indiana section. For more information about Mr. Thompson, contact Concentric Management Systems, Inc. online at http://www.ConcentricManagementSystems.com.
[1] Source: Answers.com website – http://www.answers.com/topic/iso-9000
Jim Thompson