top of page

How to Use ISO Objectives to Drive Real Business Improvement (Not Just Tick a Box)

  • Writer: Scott Naisbett
    Scott Naisbett
  • Jul 1
  • 1 min read

When organisations approach ISO certification, one of the most overlooked but vital requirements is the setting of quality, environmental, or health & safety objectives. Too often, these are written once and filed away — rather than used to drive real operational improvements.

In fact, ISO 9001:2015 (Clause 6.2) is clear: objectives should be measurable, monitored, communicated, and updated as appropriate.


But what does this mean in practice?


Good Objectives Are:

  • Aligned with your business goals – e.g. reduce rework rates by 10%.

  • Evidence-driven – based on audit findings, customer feedback, or KPIs.

  • Time-bound and reviewed – not vague or open-ended.


Poor Objectives Often:

  • Are copy-paste statements ("strive for customer satisfaction").

  • Lack owners or review mechanisms.

  • Don’t feed into management review or decision-making.


Real Value from ISO Objectives

When used correctly, objectives create a natural structure for continual improvement. They support risk management, provide focus, and allow leadership to see what’s working — and what’s not.


If your business needs support aligning objectives with certification requirements or operational priorities, ISO Systems UK can help.



 
 
 

Comments


bottom of page