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

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