FAQ Frequently Asked Questions & Our Answers

 

1.     Why implement ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System (QMS)?

GOOD

·    This is not mandatory or required by law here to implement it.

·    It’s voluntarily and decided by Company / Organization to do it or not.

·    When effectively implemented, it demonstrates to Organization’s customers / potential customers that a system is in place to ensure product/service quality in accordance to customer’s requirements and needs. 

 

BAD

·    Extra documentations and trainings of staff with added responsibilities.

·    Expanded job scope & responsibilities for appointed person in charge of QMS.

·    Extra cost of Certification and Surveillance audit fees (long-term recurring costs).

 

2.     Why implement integrated management system (IMS) to include ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System (QMS)?

GOOD

·    Same good points as in Question 1.

·    Manage as one integrated system. No need to manage separate management systems if Organization already has one or more management systems implemented.

·    Add documentations and records for ISO 9001 to meet Standards’ requirements.

·    Save time & effort to implement and train staff who are already familiar with existing management system. 

BAD

·    Extra documentations and trainings of staff with added responsibilities.

·    Expanded job scope for appointed person in charge of existing systems.

·    Extra cost of Certification and Surveillance audit fees (long-term recurring costs).

·    All Certification Bodies charge higher fees for integrated management system as they need to put in more man-days for audits. It’s their “justifications” to quote you higher fees.

 

3.     How to know if Consultant is reliable & trustworthy ?

·    Interview the Consultant in-person whom you are going to work with. Just like you are hiring an employee to work for you.

·    Check Consultant’s backgrounds, qualifications and experience for your industry.

·    Ask lots of relevant questions. Ask how many projects have been completed. What difficulties Consultant faces.

·    Ask about the consultancy process and measurable deliverables.

·    Ask how the knowledge and skills are imparted to your staff / persons to implement the systems. 

 

4.     Why is it better to use same Consultant for other system ?

GOOD

·       Consultant already knows your management systems and processes.

·       Consultant already knows your people and their style and behaviours.

·       SME / Organization already knows the quality, behaviour and style of Consultant, so it’s easier to collaborate. Success rate is guaranteed.

·       Consultant keeps confidentiality of your management system and do not sell your system documentations to other clients for quick profits (Copy & Paste money-making tactics). 

·       Consultant charges a reasonable fee, not exorbitant fees as he/she already knows what are needed to meet requirements.

·       After project completion, Consultant usually provides free consultations and support and quick response. 

BAD

None. 

 

5.     Why is it risky to take the lowest quotation ?

Never trust the lowest quote because :

·       Provider’s sales people always aim to make sales and quote lower. They take commissions for every project sign-ups. So their tactics is quantity, not quality.

·       You always meet the Sales people, not the Consultant they provide you. You do not know who you are going to get till the first project meeting.

·       Sales people do not respond to your problems and complaints. The assigned Consultant has to absorb all problems the Sales did not foresee. Consultant usually becomes frustrated and do a half-hearted job.  

·       Due to lack of time, Consultants usually use cut-and-paste method to supply you documentations that are not relevant to your operations and processes.

 

 

6.     What grants or subsidy can Organization apply ?

Innovation & Capability Voucher (ICV)

SME can claim S$5000 Voucher.

Go to Spring Singapore for more information.

 

GOOD

Free fund support for SME. 

 

BAD

·       Eligible criteria applies to SME. Check it first.

·       Spring Singapore needs to approve your application before starting project.

·       Extra paper-works / documentations to be handled by SME.

·       SME can only engage those consultants listed by Spring. These consultants usually charge higher fees due to this ICV voucher.

 

Capability Development Grant (CDG)

SME can claim up to 70% project fee and certification fee. Capped at S$30,000.

Go to Spring Singapore for more information.

GOOD

Free fund support for SME. 

BAD

·       The whole process is very tedious and long to get grant.

·       Eligible criteria applies to SME. Check it first.

·       Spring Singapore needs to approve your application before starting project.

·       There are “tons” of paper-works and documents to be submitted to Spring before approval.

·       Claim process is very tedious (Read information in website).   

·       Consultants usually charge very high fees due to Spring’s requirements for consultants to submit progressive reports to Spring.

·       SME to pay extra audit fees to Spring’s Contractor to audit your paper-works for grant (S$400 – S$2000 depending on number of documents to audit).  

 

7.     What other Claims Organization can you apply ?

Productivity and Innovation Credit (PIC)

Expenses in Staff training are eligible for PIC tax deductions / allowances. So Organization pays less taxes.

Visit IRAS website (1800-356-8622) or contact SME Centre for information.

 

Disclaimer : Information provided here is correct at time of this publication. Please check relevant website portal for latest information and developments.