Accreditation of Organizations to ISO 56002:2019 Standard

The accreditation examination for certifying organizations according to the ISO standard, specifically the ISO 56002:2019 standard, is a process conducted by a reviewer from a certifying body, such as the Standards Institute. During the accreditation examination, the reviewer comes to check if the organization meets the standard requirements in terms of work processes. The standard book includes all the topics that will be examined comprehensively. Under each topic, there are items to which attention must be paid in the implementation of processes and compliance with the standard conditions. The accreditation examination is divided into two stages: In stage 'A', the reviewer checks if there is a response to each standard requirement. They will go through documents, the organization's documentation system, and procedures. The reviewer will ask questions and seek to understand how the requirements are embedded in the organization, practically. In stage 'B', the reviewer will want to see how the processes, mechanisms, and procedures are embedded and thus examine the implementation of the standard in practice.

Designing Mechanisms of Institutional Innovation

Preparing organizations for ISO accreditation is a systematic 'design' process (which may take time). The design process deals with the establishment, maintenance, management, and improvement of mechanisms and routines, which form the basis for the establishment of an institutional innovation system. Institutional innovation is the X factor that distinguishes between organizations that have innovation, to organizations that are innovative.

The design process is based on the following stages:

• It starts with an initial assessment (gap analysis), checking whether there is a response in the organization to each standard requirement, practically, and in what manner.

• The second stage includes the characterization and implementation of mechanisms that support the identified gaps; this process varies from organization to organization and is carried out according to its DNA.

• After characterization and implementation of the mechanisms, and completing an assessment whose goal is to check full coverage for all standard requirements (system examination), the organization is required to operate according to it for a certain period, defined by the organization's management.

• After this period, it is necessary to ensure that the organization has embedded and operates according to the processes, mechanisms, and procedures defined (conformity examination).

  
  

Organizations lacking a quality accreditation base (ISO 9001:2015) may struggle with successful and effective management of the institutional innovation system. Conversely, organizations with a solid quality base may overcome the establishment and effective management process of the institutional innovation system more successfully.

The Proposed Activity

Initial assessment of the innovation fundamentals in the organization, and alignment to the ISO 56002:2019 standard requirements (gap analysis). At the end of the assessment, the organization will receive a report including a mapping of gaps and opportunities.