13. ISO 9001

Comparing MYSKILLSmanager with ISO 9001 can illustrate how they complement each other in enhancing quality and performance standards but operate with different focal points and methodologies.

1. Core Purpose and Approach

• ISO 9001: An internationally recognized standard for Quality Management Systems (QMS), ISO 9001 focuses on establishing principles that help organisations ensure consistent quality in their products and services. It emphasises process-based approaches, continual improvement, and customer satisfaction.
• MYSKILLSmanager: While not a QMS, MYSKILLSmanager is a workforce development platform aimed at performance improvement through skill tracking, evidence-based assessments, and skill matrix frameworks (SKILLcodes). Its primary goal is to enhance workforce productivity and capability by gamifying job expectations, providing transparency, and empowering individuals to meet performance standards.

2. Structure and Implementation

• ISO 9001: Structured around core principles and specific criteria, ISO 9001 requires organisations to document processes, set measurable objectives, perform internal audits, and demonstrate adherence to these standards. Certification is achieved through external audits, which verify compliance with the standard’s requirements.
• MYSKILLSmanager: Built as an interactive digital platform, MYSKILLSmanager uses structured frameworks like SKILLcodes and JOBcodes, along with algorithms, to measure and document workforce skills and performance. Rather than requiring formal certification, MYSKILLSmanager provides real-time skill development tracking and feedback, fostering ongoing skill improvement and alignment with organisational goals.

3. Evidence and Accountability

• ISO 9001: Emphasises documented evidence of compliance to ensure that processes are followed as defined, especially during audits. The evidence is mostly process-based, focusing on adherence to quality procedures rather than specific performance metrics at an individual level.
• MYSKILLSmanager: Focuses on individual and team-level evidence through its ‘Evidence Excellence’ feature, where employees provide verifiable proof of skill application in the workplace. This feature supports personal accountability and can directly contribute to broader organisational quality by showcasing individuals’ capability to meet job standards.

4. Continuous Improvement Focus

• ISO 9001: Continuous improvement is a cornerstone of ISO 9001, primarily through process refinement and root cause analysis, aiming for better product or service consistency and meeting customer requirements.
• MYSKILLSmanager: Supports continuous improvement by enhancing individual performance, which scales up to improve team and organisational performance. Its framework allows tracking improvement in key performance skills over time, aligning with organisational needs but focusing on workforce capability development rather than product/service quality alone.

5. Applicability Across Industries

• ISO 9001: Broadly applicable across industries, ISO 9001’s principles are adaptable to almost any sector that requires standardisation and a focus on quality assurance. Certification to ISO 9001 is often seen as a baseline for quality and is widely recognised as a mark of credibility.
• MYSKILLSmanager: Tailored more to industries focusing on skill development, workforce empowerment, and high-performance standards. Its application is beneficial for organisations looking to enhance workforce capability, especially in sectors where skill tracking and performance metrics are critical, such as manufacturing, healthcare, and education.

6. Complementary Aspects

• Integration Potential: MYSKILLSmanager can complement ISO 9001 by providing a structured approach to workforce development that feeds into quality outcomes. For instance, if an organisation aims to meet ISO 9001’s requirements for skilled, competent employees, MYSKILLSmanager can offer detailed performance evidence and skill metrics to support these goals.
• Support for ISO’s ‘People Focus’: ISO 9001 values a skilled and competent workforce to ensure quality, and MYSKILLSmanager provides tools for continuous skill enhancement, helping organisations build a high-performance workforce that aligns with ISO’s quality goals.

In summary, ISO 9001 provides a framework for ensuring process quality and consistency across an organisation, while MYSKILLSmanager focuses on individual performance skills, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and accountability at the workforce level. Together, they can create a holistic system where both processes and people are aligned with quality and performance objectives.