What Does ISO 9001 Clause 8.1 Operational Planning and Control Mean?
Updated: Nov 6
ISO 9001 Clause 8.1, "Operational Planning and Control," refers to the processes and procedures an organization puts in place to ensure that its operations are carried out effectively and in alignment with its quality objectives and the requirements of the quality management system (QMS). It encompasses various activities related to planning, execution, and monitoring of processes within an organization to meet quality objectives and customer requirements.
Key Elements of Clause 8.1 Include
Process Control: Organizations should define and manage their processes to achieve desired outcomes and conform to the quality management system.
Quality Objectives: Plans and procedures should be established to meet quality objectives and comply with customer requirements.
Change Management: Organizations must have processes to control and manage changes effectively. Any changes that may affect product or service quality should be assessed and implemented in a controlled manner.
Risk Management: Identification, assessment, and mitigation of risks related to operational activities.
Customer Communication: Establishing a process to communicate with customers regarding product information, inquiries, contracts, or order handling.
Documented Information: Maintaining documented information to ensure that operations are carried out under controlled conditions.
Product Requirements: Ensuring products or services meet the specified requirements.
Example Production Process in a Manufacturing Company
In this example, the organization follows Clause 8.1 for operational planning and control:
Process Definition: The company outlines and defines its manufacturing process, including material procurement, assembly, quality checks, and shipping.
Quality Objectives: The company establishes quality objectives, such as achieving a defect rate below a certain percentage and maintaining on-time delivery targets.
Change Management: When upgrading to new machinery, the company devises a change management plan. This includes assessing the impact of the change on product quality and ensuring that all relevant staff members are trained in operating the new equipment.
Risk Management: The company regularly evaluates and mitigates risks associated with its production process. For instance, it might conduct regular equipment maintenance to prevent breakdowns that could affect production schedules.
Customer Communication: There is a system in place to communicate with customers regarding their product orders, delivery schedules, and any potential delays.
Documented Information: The organization maintains documents specifying the manufacturing process, including step-by-step procedures, quality checklists, and machine maintenance logs.
Product Requirements: Every product or batch of products goes through quality checks at different stages of production to ensure they meet defined specifications and standards.
This process ensures that the manufacturing company controls its operations effectively, follows quality procedures, manages changes in a controlled manner, and communicates with customers to meet their requirements and maintain consistent quality in its products.
ISO 9001:2015 Clause 8.1 Operational Planning and Control
This clause focuses on ensuring that the operational activities within an organization are well-planned, controlled, and executed to meet quality objectives and comply with the defined quality management system. It is crucial for the effective functioning and consistent quality performance of an organization.