Chapter 3 – Quality management principles

Introduction This document introduces the eight quality management principles on which the quality management system standards of the ISO 9000 series are based. These principles can be used by senior management as a framework to guide their organizations towards improved performance. The principles are derived from the collective experience and knowledge of the international experts who participate in ISO Technical Committee ISO/TC 176, Quality management and quality assurance, which is responsible for developing and maintaining the ISO 9000 standards. The eight quality management principles are defined in ISO 9000:2005, Quality management systems – Fundamentals and vocabulary, and in ISO 9004:2009, Managing for the sustained success of an organization – A quality management approach. This document gives the standardized descriptions of the principles as they appear in ISO 9000:2005 and ISO 9004:2009. In addition, it provides examples of the benefits derived from their use and of actions that managers typically take in applying the principles to improve their organizations' performance.