First of all, what are integrated management systems?
An integrated management system (‘IMS’) is a system that integrates all of a business’ policies, processes and procedures into one unified management framework.
A lot of organizations do not have an IMS and instead operate with separate teams using different systems to manage their respective areas. This structure is usually fragmented and detached, leading to issues in communication, a lack of common purpose to achieve a shared goal and duplication of effort.
On the other hand, a business with teams sharing one integrated management system, using the same documents and following unified processes will be better positioned to optimize their operations and make the most effective use of their time and resources.
An IMS can involve a number of different management systems rolled into one easy to follow, unified system. An IMS will commonly include an organization’s:
Additional things that could be integrated are:
ISO (International Organization for Standardization) is an independent, non-governmental organization representing the National Standard Institutes of over 150 countries that develop and publish international standards in response to the needs of the international market and global expert opinions.
ISO has a number of standards that an organization can choose to implement. Some of the most popular are ISO 9001 Quality Management, ISO 14001 Environment Management, and ISO45001 OH&S Management.
The ISO has acknowledged that the number of management systems has risen dramatically in recent years and that most companies have more than one. Hence, in order to avoid a lack of consistency, it makes sense to have an integrated management system that incorporates all of your various management systems into one unified framework.
Annex SL is the standard that defines the new high-level structure that is required for all ISO management system standards. It replaces the ISO Guide 83 and expands on the structure that was already established.
Annex SL makes the integration of management systems easier by introducing identical core text and common terms and conditions across all ISO management standards.
The Annex SL standard outlines a template for which all ISO management systems are to be built in the future. This template consists of 10 sections to categorize all of the content within a management system standard.
QSM Group are experts at helping organizations with their QHSE and Compliance Management. Our consultants are highly experienced in implementing integrated management systems into a business.
Mango Live is one of our business partners, it is an all in one integrated management software solution. We have partnered with Mango to offer our clients the most affordable and user friendly software currently available. Click here to learn more about Mango Software.
Contact us today to see how we can help your organization implement an effective integrated management system solution.
Fill in your details and one of our QHSE consultants will contact you to discuss how we can assist in developing, implementing and maintaining an effective integrated management system for your organisation.