J2M Systems - Quality, Safety, Environment Consulting and Auditing

What is an Integrated Management System?

An integrated management system or "IMS" is a tool used by some organisations to manage their product/service quality, environmental performance and workplace safety, it combines common elements of procedural operations and integrates them to avoid duplication and increase efficiency.

Benefits of an Integrated Management System

Developing an integrated management system as apposed to running seperate systems is not for everyone, however for most organisations the following benefits make integration an attractive option:

Streamlined processes;
Reduced certification costs;
Improved efficiency;
Increased completion of documentation by staff and subcontractors;
Eliminate double up and repetition; and
Have one system for all of your organisations needs.

What can be Integrated?

When developing an integrated management system with J2M you decide the extent to which your documents are integrated, and which documents you feel would be better left seperate. The following list highlights the areas most commonly integrated whilst still maintaing compliance with iso9001, as4801 and iso14001:

Management system manual;
Internal audit schedule, procedure and records;
Management review schedule, procedure and records;
Company policy;
Control of documents and control of records;
Risk assessment and matrix (safety and environment);
Provision of resources;
Monitoring and measurement;
Nonconformance, corrective action and preventive action; and
Continual improvement.