Why Integrated Management Systems create purpose

Companies are constantly looking for ways to optimize operations, become more efficient and at the same time not only fulfil but exceed their responsibilities towards the environment, society and stakeholders. The concept of an Integrated Management System (IMS) has proven to be particularly valuable in this aspect.

Integrated Management System (IMS) - what is it?

An IMS is a structured approach that enables companies of any size and in any industry to combine various standards or existing management systems into a single system. Typically, this can be the integration of quality (ISO 9001), environmental (ISO 14001) or occupational health and safety management (ISO 45001). However, more "specific" management systems, such as for information security (ISO 27001) or compliance management (ISO 37301), can also be easily combined due to the similar structure of the requirements.

Most of the most common ISO standards have a similar structure - the so-called "High Level Structure" (HLS) or, since 2021, the "Harmonized Structure". With this cross-standard structure or similar structure, management systems can be expanded or integrated with new topics even better or more easily, depending on the industry, company size and objectives.

Benefits and advantages of an Integrated Management System

The advantages of an IMS include:

• Less effort: Goals, processes and structures are often already similar. Bundling different business priorities and aspects into one system saves resources, increases efficiency and reduces the complexity of processes.
• Continuous improvement: By combining data and processes and viewing them as part of the bigger picture, weak points can be recognized more easily and, above all, more quickly. Measures for improvement can thus be derived earlier and in a targeted manner.
• Holistic approach: An IMS enables a comprehensive assessment of a company's performance by summarizing all relevant aspects such as product quality, environmental impact and occupational safety in one system. By looking at the "big picture", synergies can be better utilized.

The path to IMS

• Define goals: Before you start with the implementation, you should ask yourself "What do we want to achieve with an IMS?". Do you want to increase efficiency? Minimize accident or compliance risks? Improve environmental and energy performance? Or manage several issues, that were previously addressed individually, in an integrated manner? Anything is possible - you decide where the journey takes you and which stages you go through.
• Where do you stand? Current processes, existing management systems, strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, risks - analyze your current status quo to create a solid basis.
• Establish responsibilities and competences: On the one hand, upper management/executives are required to provide resources and communicate the importance of an IMS. On the other hand, it is important that the people responsible for implementation are available and have the appropriate expertise at their disposal. Expertise must therefore be built up where necessary.
• Define topics: There are many different international ISO standards, norms and regulations. You can find an overview here. Select those that match your requirements and then develop corresponding processes and guidelines that support the previously defined objectives of the IMS.
• Create awareness: Make sure that everyone is informed about the IMS project and understands what it is good for and what each individual can contribute. Turn those affected into participants!
• Monitoring: To ensure that everything runs smoothly - not only today, but also tomorrow and the day after tomorrow - it is important to continuously identify opportunities for improvement.
• Certification: If you are seeking certification for your management system, you will receive transparent proof of your systematic processes from external third parties. This promotes trust in the market and creates transparency. At the same time, a certificate is recognised as important proof of requirements or supply chains, for example. We have summarized further advantages and the steps you go through as part of certification for you here.

Quality Austria is the market leader for future-orientated Integrated Management Systems. With the personal commitment of all employees and leading expertise, we accompany and support customers with the highest level of integrity on their path to sustainable success. And every path to success is different.

Contact us if you would like to start or intensify the topic of IMS - here you can find our contact form.

Here you can find an overview of current training and further education programs in the field of IMS. We equip you with the necessary expertise so that you can take the lead in implementing the system in your company.