Multiple management systems

Complex organizations require specialized solutions to meet their business needs. If you have multiple management systems or certify to multiple standards, you may want to consider integrated management systems or combined assessment services. Discover the key benefits for your organization.

Can you combine assessments?

If you have two or more management systems that need to be assessed, we aim to coordinate them so they take place on the same days, reducing the disruption to your organization and your administrative costs.

This doesn’t necessarily mean that the systems will be integrated or combined – although this can be done but is a separate option from BSI.

What are the benefits of a combined assessment?

• Continuity of business
• Reduced administration time and costs
• Less disruption on site
• Less disruption to valuable senior management time

What remains the same?

• The management systems remain completely separate
• Systems retain their own manuals and controls
• The duration of the assessments won’t necessarily be reduced

What is an integrated management system (IMS)?

Integrated in this sense means combined – therefore uniting all internal management systems, such as quality and environmental, to form one core business system to achieve your intended objectives. This means that anything affecting business outcomes must be part of a single management system, so that all processes and documents are united. 

What are the benefits of integration?

• Meet all standard requirements with one set of policies and procedures
• Audit more than one system at a time to save money and resources
• Improve overall efficiency by removing the need to duplicate tasks
• Clearly defined roles and responsibilities highlight common objectives
• Make it easier to continually improve all your management systems
• Embed quality/sustainability/performance throughout the organization

How can organizations implement an integrated management system?

Companies have two options when integrating management systems: conversion and consolidation (merging). Conversion involves adding new processes to an existing management system (e.g. Quality – ISO 9001) and revising documents in order to cover all management system requirements. Consolidation involves merging two systems and integrating other systems during formalization, allowing organizations to merge any documentation where it supports the same process.

Integrated management systems must share similar processes for:

• Documented information
• Training
• Internal audits
• Management reviews
• Corrective actions