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

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.

Contact us here.