What is an IMS?

An integrated management system is a single system designed to manage multiple aspects of an organization’s
operations in line with multiple standards, such as those for quality, environmental, and health and safety
management.
Integrated management is relevant to any organization, regardless of size or sector, looking to integrate two or
more of its management systems into one cohesive system with a holistic set of documentation, policies,
procedures, and processes.
What can be integrated?
Any combination of management systems, such as ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and OHSAS 18001, can be integrated.
What are the benefits of an IMS?
• Easy and user-friendly approach to manage various standards
• Cost reduction and increased profit margins
• Increased competitiveness
• Better financial performance and optimized cost
• Time savings
• Reduction in total number of audit days
A 10-step approach to an IMS
Step 1: Awareness and training
Promote awareness organizationwide about the various management systems—and the standards to which
they comply—that will be integrated. Conduct separate training sessions for top management, middle
management, and junior-level management.
Step 2: Policy and objectives
Develop an integrated quality, environmental, health safety, and information security policy. Develop relevant
organizational objectives for vision, mission, goals, and strategic direction. Work with top management on
policy development.
Step 3: Internal gap analysis
Identify the degree of compliance of the existing management system against requirements of the standards
under consideration in your IMS. Understand all the operations throughout the organization and develop a
process map for all activities. Compare the existing operations to requirements of the standards that will be
integrated.
Step 4: Documentation and process design
Document the process per the requirements of the relevant standards. Write and implement functional
procedures, work instructions, system procedures, and associated forms.
Step 5: Documentation and process implementation
IMplement the processes and documents developed in step four across the organization so that all
departments and activities are covered.
Step 6: Internal audit
Conduct a robust internal audit system. Train internal auditors on how to perform an internal audit of the
organization that covers all departments and operations. Issue corrective actions for improvements in each of
the audited departments in order to bridge gaps between existing processes and requirements of the
standards. This will ensure effectiveness of the IMS.
Step 7: Organize a management system review meeting
Implement a formal system for top management to review various business-critical aspects of the organization
that are relevant to the standards being integrated. Review the following: policy, including strategic direction
of the organization; objectives, both the setting of objectives and the extent to which objectives have been
met; the results of internal audits; the results of process performance; the results of complaints, feedback, and
legal compliance; the results of risk assessment and incidents. Develop an action plan to correct any
nonconformances to the standards.
Step 8: Thorough gap analysis of management system
Prior to the final certification audit, conduct a formal gap analysis to assess the effectiveness and compliance
of the IMS. A close representation of a final certification audit should be conducted to help ensure a high
degree of compliance with the standards in the IMS.
Step 9: Corrective actions
On the basis of the gap analysis, conduct an audit, and assign corrective action projects for ant the
nonconformances that were discovered. Ensure that the corrective actions are completed and the
organization is ready for the final certification audit.
Step 10: Final certification audit
An outside auditor will audit the IMS. If not nonconformances are found, the auditor will recommend that the
organization should be registered to the standards that it has integrated into its IMS.
To find out more about integrated management systems visit NQA’s website, where you can get in touch with
us for a quote or to discuss your certification needs.