Mentoring
Through our experience in developing and implementing management systems to meet international standards (many of which have been certified), we have gained considerable knowledge in the project management of systems development in a variety of industries, governments and cultures internationally.
Our clients have achieved certification on-time and within budget often under difficult circumstances and differing international, legal, corporate and cultural requirements.
The implementation/certification of a Management System to an international standard is dependent on resources provided, the dedication of people concerned, and management commitment. Graham A. Brown & Associates can provide a professional and experienced service to the Management System Coordinator(s) through the process of mentoring these personnel through systems development to ensure the establishment and implementation of the management system stays on track, on time and within budget resulting in a successful project.
Our Mentoring Package may include:
- Provision of Technical Advice (including interpretation of the standard)
- Support for the development of management procedures
- Assistance with Benchmarking
- Assisting the Systems Coordinator with Facilitation of management systems sub-groups
- Advice on implementation of the management system
- Monthly or bi-monthly visits to site
- ‘Contact Days’ allocated between visits
- Training development, and delivery during visits
- Internal Audit facilitation
- Facilitation of the Management Review
- Support during the Management System Certification process, including attendance at the pre-certification audit (and certification audit if required). See Certification under Consulting.
The Mentoring Process
The mentoring process for most organisations consists of visits to the site from one of our experienced management systems consultants on a regular weekly, fortnightly, monthly or bi-monthly basis, depending on location and certification timetable. The consultants will meet with the Management Systems Coordinator and associated personnel to work through one or more stages of system development according to an Implementation Plan developed at the beginning of the process.
The staff report to the Mentor and the organisation’s management by e-mail, phone or fax on what was achieved during the period since the last visit by the Mentor, what was achieved during the Mentor’s visit, and what activities are planned for the period following the Mentor’s visit the are to be completed prior to the next visit.
Progress is constantly reviewed, resources committed and costs are continually monitored, leading to management systems roll-out and/or the pre-certification and certification audit.
One of the most important issues with the implementation of the management system is the management of change – business as usual will not work. This is most effectively done through the formation of implementation teams who are given responsibility for (and ownership of) implementing various steps in the development of the management system; a process we have successfully used with numerous organisations.
The steps taken during the mentoring program may include:
- Development of an Implementation Plan/Timetable
- Development of a “Documents Required for Certification” table
- Revision and assessment of the appropriate Policy
- Determination of risks and opportunities for each operational area
- Assessment of the “significance” of environmental aspects and impacts (if appropriate)
- Development of objectives for each operational area
- Responsibility for completing the steps to achieve objectives (that is, implementation of the management programs)
- Review of procedures for each operational area
- Incorporation of environmental, health and safety or quality requirements into existing standard operating procedures and work instructions
- Other change management requirements that will emerge as the development of the management system proceeds.