Your ISO 9001:2008 training effectiveness must be evaluated – Not just as an “ISO Requirement”, but as an essential component to your Quality Management System.

A significant change in the training requirement in the ISO 9001:2000 was to evaluate the effectiveness of training and reinforced in the 2008 release of the document (see 6.2.2.c of the ISO standards document).

You need to include a process to accomplish training evaluation in your procedure or in your training manual.  Be sure to address how the training affects quality for each process or procedure.

Organizations new to ISO requirements world, overlook the “Effectiveness of Training”.  Most often there are no methods or processes to measure training's effectiveness.  Consequently, the Registrar addresses this in the Stage 1 or Stage 2 assessment. 

Below are example methods you can use to evaluate training effectiveness.

The Quality Manual: Documentation Requirements

Previous ISO 9000 versions were criticized because of the emphasis on documentation. Currently this requirement for documentation is focused on a few areas: control of documents and quality records; internal auditing records; nonconformance records, and correction actions. To maintain control, you must implement a structure, and this structure is reflected in the company's quality manual.

A quality system consists of two parts: documented and implemented. The documented element or quality manual includes all the documents (i.e. policies, plans, procedures or instructions) that affect the quality of the product or service. The manual should be a combination of printed material and software programs. All these documents must be defined and controlled to ensure availability yet managability.

Use the process approach during audits.

When the ISO 9001:2000 standard was released emphasis was placed on using the process approach during the audit. The purpose was to incorporate audit focus towards analyzing process effectiveness, including interface activities with other processes, rather than focus on element and clause compliance alone.

Unlike third party auditors, many companies did not pursue formal ISO 9001:2008 training and did not utilize the intent and understood process based approach auditing.  This creates a disconnect between the third party auditor and the organization as some companies still do not fully use their process inputs and outputs, sequences, interfaces and, process monitoring/measuring.

Organizations still tend to struggle with the  process approach concept are highly encouraged to pursue formal training or consulting assistance.  We recommend taking the ISO 9001:2008 Review Part A and Part B.

Top Management Understands Internal Auditing is Critical for an Effective Quality Management System.

The Quality Manager must, with confidence, approach top management to play a crucial part in supporting internal auditing for your ISO 9001 compliant business.

Internal auditing is the most important tool in the quality system "tool box." It is the primary process for continual monitoring in a company's Quality Management System.  The reports to top management and for the quality teams is critical to the effective growth of a QMS.  Identying system ineffectiveness,  corrective action and ultimately continual improvement is the keystone. 

What is e-learning?

E-learning uses electronic media, content and communication methods to disseminate education. E-learning includes all forms of educational technology in teaching. E-learning includes, and is similar to  multimedia learning, and  computer-based instruction (CBI).  Other terms that refer to e-learning are:

• computer-based training (CBT),
• computer-assisted instruction or computer-aided instruction (CAI),
• internet-based training (IBT),
• web-based training (WBT),
• online education,
• virtual education,
• virtual learning environments (VLE),
• m-learning, and
• digital educational collaboration.

These terms typically emphasize a particular aspect or delivery mode.

To maximize retention and in your learning experience we have included audio for each lesson.  In order to listen to the audio, make sure you have headphones or speakers attached to your computer. 

Also, be sure you are using the latest browser on your computer.  The courses have been tested with:

• FireFox version 26.0
• Microsoft IE version 9.0.8
• Google Chrome version 31.0.16
• Apple Safari version 5.1.7
• Opera version 12.16

What are the benefits of Online Training?

How we learn is changing.  As the cost of transportation increases, industry recognizes the benefits of online training and learning. ISO Standards training and online learning saves - period.  Training over the web reduces travel and accomodation costs and increases flexibility.  With online training you can take a course when you want.  Small businesses are joining the Standards eLearning trend.

The Internet is world wide and can reach a large market of interested students.  a training event can occur at 3:00 in the morning or at 3:00 in the afternoon regardless of location.  There are no room rentals per-diem expenses with ISO and AS9100 online training.

What are the advantages of online ISO courses?

1. Online standards training is convenient.

Your only excuse for missing class is not getting online! Otherwise, everything is available to you. You can get announcements, access notes, review assignments, discuss questions, chat with students and study any time you want. Other than certain due dates, you make your own schedule for completing the requirements of the course. The biggest advantage of online standards course is that your classroom and instructor (theoretically) are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

2. Online standards courses offer flexibility.

You can study any time you want. You can study with whomever you want. Online courses give you the flexibility to spend time with work, family, friends, significant others or any other activity you like. For many people, with continually changing work schedules or people who make frequent business trips, this method of standards course delivery is the best.