A Management System’s Management Review is a structured process through which the management team of an organization evaluates its performance and effectiveness. The “Management Review” requirement is fundamental for the success of your management system. Check your standard for the specifics:
- ISO 9001 – Clause 9.3
- AS9100 – Clause 9.2
- IATF 16949 – Clause 9.3
- ISO 13485 – Clause 5,6
- Etc…
Contact your ASR auditor if you have questions about your Management Review.
Here's an overview of what generally comprises a Management Review:
Management reviews are critical. They provide a formalized, systematic evaluation of the system's performance, offering opportunities for improvements and corrective actions. These reviews are conducted at planned intervals (i.e. typically on an annual basis) to ensure the MS remains effective and aligned with the strategic direction of the organization.
Core Elements of a MS Management Review
The contents of a MS Management Review can be categorized into the following areas:
- Review Inputs: Inputs are the data and information needed to conduct a meaningful review. Common inputs include:
- The performance of processes and conformity to product and service requirements.
- Customer feedback and satisfaction levels.
- The status of corrective actions from previous management reviews or audits.
- Changes / Performance of external and internal issues and providers relevant to the Management System.
- Adequacy of allocated resources
- Audit Results
- Effectiveness of action items addressing risks and opportunities
- Recommendations for improvement.
- Performance Evaluation: This section focuses on evaluating the performance of the MS against the set objectives and metrics. It includes:
- Analysis of data and metrics related to quality objectives.
- The effectiveness of implemented changes and improvements.
- Resource adequacy for maintaining and improving the MS.
- The performance of external providers and their impact on the MS.
- Compliance Status: Reviewing the compliance status involves assessing the system's adherence to relevant laws, regulations, and ISO standards. It encompasses:
- Compliance with the standard’s requirements.
- Related legal and regulatory compliance.
- Compliance with customer-specific requirements.
- Risk and Opportunities Management: Identifying and evaluating risks and opportunities that can affect the Management System's performance or integrity. This involves:
- Reviewing the outcomes of risk assessments.
- Strategies for addressing risks and exploiting opportunities.
- Improvement Opportunities: Identifying areas for improvement is a continuous goal of the MS. This includes:
- Identifying processes that require improvement.
- Opportunities for enhancing customer satisfaction.
- Innovations that can improve product quality and efficiency.
- Resource Needs: Evaluating the adequacy of current resources and identifying additional resources needed for the MS's continual improvement.
Review Outputs
The outputs of a management review are essentially the decisions and actions related to the improvement of the MS's effectiveness and its processes. These include:
- Actions needed to address any nonconformities or opportunities for improvement.
- Resource requirements for addressing issues and implementing improvements.
- Any need for changes to the MS, including policy or objectives adjustments.
The Management Review is a vital component of the MS, ensuring that the quality management system remains suitable, adequate, and effective in the face of changing internal and external conditions. Through careful consideration of review inputs, a thorough evaluation of performance, compliance, risk management, and identification of improvement opportunities, organizations can harness the full potential of their MS, driving continuous improvement and achieving their quality objectives.