TS ISO 10019

TS ISO 10019 is a guidance standard for selecting a quality management system (QMS) consultant and making effective use of consulting services. Its focus is on helping an organisation evaluate external support in a considered way when establishing, improving, or maintaining a QMS.

The role of QMS consulting and how consultants are assessed

In general technical terms, QMS consultants may support organisations with process-based management, documentation, internal audit preparation, risk-based thinking, and continual improvement. This standard helps an organisation look beyond technical knowledge alone and consider factors such as impartiality, communication skills, sector experience, and the consultant’s ability to work in a way that fits the organisation’s needs. The underlying idea is that consulting should strengthen the organisation’s own management capability rather than impose a ready-made system.

Using consulting services in practice

The standard explicitly provides guidance on consultant selection, so it is useful for defining expectations, planning consulting work, and judging whether the service is delivering value in a QMS context. QMS consulting commonly includes activities such as gap analysis, training, implementation support, and improvement recommendations. The right fit depends on factors such as organisational size, activity area, and maturity level.

• Provides guidance for selecting a quality management system consultant.
• Helps explain how consulting services can be used in a QMS context.
• Highlights the fit between organisational needs and the consultant’s experience and working style.
• Supports the informed use of external help in establishing, maintaining, and improving a QMS.