9001Council > Articles & Editorials

Articles & Editorials

Our articles, interviews and case studies explore a number of popular ISO 9001 topics. Some articles answer questions posed by Council members, others are inspired by the feedback we receive. All original research is our own.

19 March 2026

Take our free 15-question ISO 9001 self-assessment quiz to see how much you've learned about requirements, audits, risk, and the certification process.

11 February 2026

A clear, clause-by-clause summary of ISO 9001:2015 requirements explained in plain English. Learn what each clause means for your business and how the standard fits together.

29 January 2026

Understand what ISO 9001:2015 actually requires for documentation. Learn which documents are mandatory, how to keep your QMS lean, and what the standard does NOT require.

20 December 2025

An in-depth analysis of the benefits of ISO 9001 certification based on real-world case studies, statistical data, and academic research.

3 December 2025

Pre-written ISO 9001 documentation templates can accelerate your implementation — but only if you choose carefully. We cover the pros and cons, key selection factors, and common pitfalls to avoid.

26 July 2025

Practical, objective guidelines on how to choose ISO 9001 consultants, implementation kits, and training — including detailed evaluation checklists, warning signals to avoid, and tips for getting the best value.

7 June 2025

How to maintain ISO 9001 certification through continual improvement, the PDCA cycle, and documentation updates — plus the six most common reasons quality management systems fail and how to avoid them.

4 April 2025

How effective are ISO 9001 consultants for small and medium-sized companies? We surveyed SMEs across Australia, Asia, Europe, and the USA — comparing hands-on vs hands-off approaches and in-house implementation.

26 January 2025

What is an ISO 9001 Quality Management System? We explain the seven quality management principles, the PDCA cycle, how a QMS differs from quality control, and how to set one up.

17 November 2024

We compare the three most effective ISO 9001 training formats — online courses, classroom-based learning, and on-site instruction — with pros and cons, costs, and recommendations for each.

3 July 2024

How do remote (virtual) ISO 9001 certification audits work and are they right for your business? We cover the process, technology requirements, data protection, and the pros and cons compared with traditional on-site audits.

15 January 2024

We review three of the best ISO 9001 explanatory videos — covering the basics, benefits, and certification process. A great starting point for newcomers to quality management systems.

1 June 2023

Comprehensive reviews of ISO 9001 implementation kits, documentation templates, training providers, and registrars — based on research and professional experience. Reviews conducted between 2018 and 2023.

11 February 2019

Prof. Dr. Henk J. de Vries of the Rotterdam School of Management — a recognised expert in ISO 9001 and standardization — shares his thoughts on the 2015 revision, implementation challenges, consultants, and the future of quality management.

16 March 2017

A look back at the key changes introduced in ISO 9001:2015 — stronger leadership, risk-based thinking, and the Annex SL structure — and how they still shape implementations today.

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