The development, implementation and certification of SANS ISO 9001:2000 within five of the sections of the Industry Association Resource Centre (IARC)

Abstract

This research paper presents a systems and process approach into the development, implementation and certification of ISO 9001:2000 within the Industry Association Resource Centre, (IARC) formally known as Distribution Technology (DT). There is currently no formal Quality Management System (QMS) applied within the bounds of IARC. ISO 9001 :2000 is one such system that is to be implemented to ensure that the products and or services as generated by IARC meet the customers expectations and within the required time frame. Due to the restructuring of the EDI and disbanding of Distribution, DT was relocated from the disbanding Distribution division and incorporated into the R & S division. In doing so DT was restructured and the name changed to IARC. This meant that Risk Management a previous section within DT was moved out and three new sections, Standardisation, Information Centre and the Electricity Supply Industry - Geographic Information System were incorporated into IARC. The three new sections had previously been with R & S and were already ISO 9001 :2000 certified. IARC is currently split into eight sections namely; • Technology Development, Power Plant, • Technology Development, Control Plant, • Engineering Processes, • Technical Training, • Pre-Paid Development, • Technology Standardisation, • Information Services and • Electricity Supply Industry - Geographic Information System. There is also however a Corporate Consulting Service supplied by IARC. IARC is further spread throughout the country and thus has multiple offices namely; • Megawatt Park (Johannesburg) • Menlyn Park (Pretoria) • New Germany (Durban) • Brakenfel (Cape Town) • Simmerpan (Germiston) • East London • Klerksdorp • George. As can be seen from above IARC is a department that is multi skilled and spread through out the country hence the importance of implementing a quality management system. A method of developing and implementing ISO 9001 :2000 within IARC will be discussed. This research paper will further only involve five of the sections within IARC as three of the sections as stated above have already achieved ISO 9001 :2000 certification.. Thus the five sections that form part of this research paper are; • Technology Development, Power Plant, • Technology Development, Control Plant, • Engineering Processes, • Technical Training and • Pre-Paid Development. The sections within IARC have in the past worked in isolation from each other and thus have built up their own reporting systems to which they adhere to. It is thus recommended to involve the relevant staffthroughout the entire IARC and to ensure that they fully understand the benefits that can be achieved with certification. It is further important to understand that extensive training be undertaken throughout IARC during the process to educate all staff.