How to Successfully Implement a New Standard in Your Organization

One of the most common questions we receive in our consulting services is: “Can you help us implement a new standard?”

This often comes from organizations facing a customer requirement—especially tier-one suppliers being asked to implement standards such as IATF 16949:2016. In some cases, it may start with ISO 9001:2015 as an entry-level requirement, and then expand to additional standards like VDA 6.3 (for process auditing), ISO 14001:2018, or even TISAX, which is becoming increasingly relevant in the automotive supply chain.

Regardless of the specific standard or the motivation—whether it's to meet a customer mandate or achieve internal strategic goals—the approach to successful implementation typically follows a clear, structured process.

Step 1: Start with a Gap Analysis

A comprehensive gap analysis is the foundation of any successful implementation. This allows your organization to gain a holistic view of where your current quality management system (QMS) stands in relation to the requirements of the new standard.

Our gap analyses are conducted onsite to ensure accuracy and thoroughness. This includes:

• Reviewing existing documentation and operational processes.

• Identifying evidence of current conformance.

• Comparing all findings against the specific clauses or criteria of the target standard.

The result is a clear understanding of what’s already in place, what’s missing, and what needs to be done.

Step 2: Develop an Action Plan

Once the gaps are identified, the next step is to create a tailored action plan. This includes:

• A detailed timeline.

• Clear responsibilities.

• Specific steps required to close each gap.

The goal is not only to develop processes but to ensure they are functional, measurable, and capable of producing key performance indicators (KPIs) and outputs that demonstrate real conformance.

Step 3:  Implementation

Our team offers flexible support—onsite, remote, or hybrid—to guide your implementation journey. We help organizations get their systems operating smoothly and ensure that processes are consistently executed and monitored.

Whether you're building from scratch or enhancing an existing system, this phase focuses on:

• Establishing the new system through processes and procedures.

• Implementing best practices.

• Reinforcing employee understanding and engagement.

Step 4: Preparing for Certification

After implementation, we assist in preparing for your external certification audit. This usually includes internal audits and other preparatory measures.

And even after you’ve obtained certification, we can continue to support you by performing your internal audits, ensuring you maintain conformance and drive continuous improvement over time.

Final Thoughts

Implementing a new standard—be it ISO, IATF, VDA, or TISAX—doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With the right approach, including a proper gap analysis, structured planning, and expert guidance, your organization can meet customer demands, achieve compliance, and improve operational performance.

Need help getting started with your implementation? Let’s talk about how we can support your goals..

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