Frequently Asked Questions
? General Questions
Common questions about working with 9001 Plus Consulting.
What makes 9001 Plus different from other ISO consultants?
+Most ISO consultants build systems for auditors — documentation that gets filed away and forgotten. We build management systems for leadership.
Our Total Management Control System™ approach creates a three-tier architecture that leadership actually uses to run the business. ISO compliance becomes a by-product, not the goal. The result: certification without additional headcount, and a system that survives long after we're gone.
What size companies do you work with?
+We work best with SMEs between 20 and 200 employees. This is the sweet spot where our approach delivers the most value — large enough to benefit from systematic management, small enough that leadership is still hands-on.
We've worked with companies as small as 15 and as large as 500, but our methodology is specifically designed for the complexity level found in mid-sized organisations.
Do you work with companies outside Australia?
+Yes. While we're based in Sydney, we work with clients across Australia, New Zealand, and internationally. Our implementation process works effectively via video conferencing, with site visits scheduled as needed for key workshops.
What industries do you specialise in?
+We work across industries — manufacturing, professional services, construction, logistics, technology, and more. Our approach is about management systems, not industry-specific compliance.
That said, we have particularly deep experience in manufacturing and professional services environments where the gap between "how we work" and "what's documented" tends to be largest.
☰ ISO 9001 Basics
Understanding what ISO 9001 is and why it matters.
What is ISO 9001?
+ISO 9001 is the international standard for quality management systems. It provides a framework for organisations to consistently deliver products and services that meet customer and regulatory requirements.
But here's the thing — it's just a framework. How you implement it determines whether it's a burden or a business advantage. Most companies treat it as compliance overhead. We use it as a foundation for actual management improvement.
Why do companies get ISO 9001 certified?
+Common reasons include:
- Customer requirements — Many large organisations require suppliers to be certified
- Tender eligibility — Government and enterprise contracts often mandate certification
- Market differentiation — Demonstrates commitment to quality in competitive markets
- Operational improvement — Framework for systematising how you work
The mistake most companies make is treating certification as the end goal. Done right, certification should be a by-product of building a better management system.
Do I need ISO 9001 if customers aren't asking for it?
+Maybe not. If no one's asking and you have no plans to bid on work that requires it, formal certification might not be necessary.
However, the principles behind ISO 9001 — clear processes, defined responsibilities, systematic improvement — are valuable regardless. Many companies benefit from implementing a management system without pursuing formal certification.
How long does ISO 9001 certification last?
+Certification is valid for 3 years, with surveillance audits conducted annually (typically at 12 and 24 months) to verify ongoing compliance. At the end of the 3-year cycle, a full recertification audit is required.
With our approach, these audits become non-events because you're actually using the system daily — not scrambling to update paperwork before the auditor arrives.
◎ Our Approach
How the Total Management Control System™ works.
What is the Total Management Control System™?
+It's our proprietary three-tier methodology for building management systems that leadership actually uses:
- Tier 1 — Management by Guidelines: Strategic objectives, KPIs, and priority rules defined by leadership
- Tier 2 — Guideline Deployment: Control points, decision authority, and escalation rules for managers
- Tier 3 — Daily Work Routine Management: Daily routines that make problems visible before they become crises
ISO 9001 requirements are woven into this structure invisibly — you get compliance as a by-product of building something genuinely useful.
How is this different from what other consultants do?
+Traditional consultants start with ISO requirements and build documentation around them. We start with how leadership wants to manage and build capability around that.
The difference in outcomes is stark:
- No quality department required to maintain the system
- Documentation that reflects how you actually work
- A system that survives leadership changes and growth
- Audits become validations, not scrambles
Will this approach work with our existing systems?
+Yes. We don't ask you to throw out what's working. We assess your current state, keep what delivers value, and integrate or replace what doesn't. The goal is to build on your existing management practices, not create a parallel universe.
⚙ Implementation
What to expect during the implementation process.
How long does implementation take?
+Our standard implementation is 12 weeks from kickoff to certification. This includes four phases: Management by Guidelines (weeks 0-2), Guideline Deployment (weeks 2-5), Daily Work Routine (weeks 5-10), and Stabilise & Certify (weeks 10-12).
For urgent needs, we can compress to 8 weeks with increased intensity. For larger or more complex organisations, 16 weeks may be more appropriate.
How much time will our team need to invest?
+We do the heavy lifting. Your team's typical time commitment:
- Executive Sponsor: 2-3 hours per week
- Project Lead: 4-6 hours per week
- Managers: 1-2 hours per week
- Staff: As needed for training
This is significantly less than most implementations because we're not asking you to write documentation — we're asking you to describe how you work so we can systematise it.
Do we need to hire a quality manager?
+No. This is one of the key differences in our approach. Traditional implementations often require a dedicated quality manager to maintain the system. Our approach embeds quality management into how leadership already works — no additional headcount required.
If you already have a quality manager, great — they'll be freed up to focus on actual improvement rather than paperwork maintenance.
What if we already have some documentation?
+We assess what you have, keep what's working, and integrate or replace what isn't. There's no point starting from scratch if you have procedures that people actually follow. Our job is to fill gaps and create coherence — not generate unnecessary new documents.
✓ Certification
The certification process and what happens after.
Is certification guaranteed?
+Yes. If you follow the process and commit to the workshops, you will certify. We've never had a client fail certification. Our approach is designed to ensure you're ready well before the auditor arrives — because you've been operating the system for weeks, not cramming at the last minute.
Which certification body do you use?
+You choose your certification body — we don't mandate a specific one. We have relationships with several accredited bodies and can recommend options based on your industry, location, and any customer requirements.
All accredited certification bodies audit to the same standard, so the choice usually comes down to cost, availability, and any sector-specific expertise you might need.
What happens after we're certified?
+You have a management system that runs without us. We provide 12 months of post-certification support to answer questions and help you through your first surveillance audit. After that, most clients continue independently — which is exactly the goal.
Some clients choose to engage us for ongoing improvement work, but it's never required for maintenance.
What about surveillance audits?
+Surveillance audits happen annually at approximately 12 and 24 months after initial certification. With our approach, these are non-events — you're living the system daily, so there's nothing to prepare. Your first surveillance audit is included in our 12-month support.
$ Pricing & Investment
Understanding the costs involved.
How much does implementation cost?
+Implementation investment varies based on company size, complexity, and current state. For a typical SME (20-100 employees), expect an investment in the range of $25,000-$50,000 for complete implementation including certification support.
We provide a fixed-price quote after our initial assessment — no hourly billing surprises.
What's included in the price?
+Everything you need:
- Complete ISO 9001 documentation written for your business
- Leadership workshops and team training
- Internal audit program and first audit cycle
- Certification body coordination and audit support
- 12 months post-certification support
Certification body fees are separate and paid directly to them — typically $3,000-$8,000 depending on company size.
Are there ongoing costs after implementation?
+Your only ongoing costs are certification body fees for annual surveillance audits (typically $2,000-$5,000 per year) and the three-year recertification audit.
Because our approach doesn't require a dedicated quality manager, you avoid the typical $80,000-$120,000 annual cost of maintaining a traditional ISO system. The implementation pays for itself quickly.
Do you offer payment plans?
+Yes. Our standard payment structure is 40% at project kickoff, 40% at the midpoint, and 20% upon certification. Alternative arrangements can be discussed for specific circumstances.