What does the term 'process approach' refer to in ISO 9001?

The term 'process approach' in ISO 9001 refers to managing activities as processes for efficiency. This approach emphasizes understanding and managing interrelated processes as a system, aiming to enhance overall effectiveness and efficiency in achieving desired results. By viewing activities as interconnected processes, organizations can optimize their operations, reduce waste, and ensure that inputs and outputs contribute to customer satisfaction and the overall objectives of the quality management system.

This perspective encourages organizations to identify what the processes are, how they interact, and how they can be improved. It supports continuous improvement by focusing on how each process contributes to the quality of the products or services provided, thereby fostering a proactive approach to risk management and decision-making.

In contrast, managing resources as individual tasks (the first choice) limits the potential for improvements through integration and collaboration among processes. Focusing solely on end results (the third choice) neglects the importance of the methods and processes that lead to those results, which can affect consistency and quality. Evaluating performance without a structured method (the fourth choice) can lead to a disorganized approach that does not yield actionable insights for improvement. The process approach aligns with the principles of a quality management system that strive for orderly, efficient, and effective processes that meet customer needs and expectations