An Integrated
Management System (IMS) integrates all of an organization’s systems and processes
into one complete framework, enabling an organization to work as a single unit
with unified objectives.
Integrated Management Systems
enable you to have a quality management system and another management system
such as environmental, and have them integrated into one management system that
will cover both aspects. The integrated management system will work to address
both environmental and quality management. Organizations often focus on
management systems individually, often in silos and sometimes even in conflict.
A quality team is concerned with the QMS, often an EHS manager handles both
Environmental and Health and Safety issues, or a SHEQ Manager handles Safety,
Health, Environment and Quality
An Integrated
Management System (or “IMSâ€) can benefit your organization
through increased efficiency and effectiveness, and cost reductions while
minimizing the disruption caused by several external audits. It also shows your
commitment to increased performance, employee and customer satisfaction, and
continuous improvement.
With an
integrated management system, your management systems work together, with each
function aligned behind a single goal: improving the performance of the entire
organization. Instead of silos, you have a coordinated effort which is greater
than the sum of its parts and is not only more efficient but more effective. An
integrated system provides a clear, uniform image of your entire organization,
how they impact each other, and the associated risks. Efficiency is gained from
less duplication, and it becomes easier to adopt new systems in the future.
Benefits of an Integrated
Management System (IMS):
Improving performance: Integrated management systems will have a
positive impact on specific management system components and outcomes such as
improvements in quality, safety, risk
Eliminating redundancies : implementing multiple management
system standards is being able to align the standards to find a common or
single management system components. These may include policies, objectives,
processes or resources.
Accountability : integrate multiple management systems at a
time and establish cohesive objectives and processes, and resources, with the
alignment of the systems you will see improvement in accountability
Establish consistency : integrated approach, your
organization can create better consistency of the management systems
Reducing Bureaucracy: Reducing bureaucracy stems from
eliminating redundancy. Oftentimes when multiple management standards are
implemented and not integrated, dilemmas can arise by the inability to
streamline decisions because of the layers of hierarchy.
Cost Reduction: Integrated Management Systems allows
your organization to conduct integrated audits and assessments, as well as
optimize processes and resources.
Optimize Processes and
Resource : When
viewing standard requirements, do not consider them an added load or task to
the organization, rather remember that they are a way to implement expectations
from customers, interested parties and the organization, and create a smooth
and effective process.
Reducing maintenance: Maintenance refers to the ongoing
compliance checks and ensuring that you are upholding the management system
standard requirements
Facilitating decision making : Eliminating redundancy and creating
consistency within the organization allows for a more complete view of the
functional needs and performance.
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