TSE ISO/TR 10013

TSE ISO/TR 10013 is a technical report that gives guidance on how to document a quality management system. It addresses the development and maintenance of the documentation needed for an effective quality management system tailored to the specific needs of an organization, helping users understand how the documentary structure should support the system rather than forcing a single fixed format.

The role of documentation in quality management

In quality management, documentation is more than a set of written instructions. It provides a shared framework for policies, objectives, process descriptions, responsibilities, records, and the working methods that link them together. Well-structured documentation supports consistent execution, preserves organizational knowledge, and helps different functions apply the same approach. In general technical terms, it also creates a reference point for reviewing how the system is defined and maintained over time.

What this guidance is meant to support

This document does not impose one universal template for every organization. Instead, it reflects the principle that documentation should be adapted to the organization’s size, activities, and quality objectives. In common quality-management practice, the distinction between procedures and records is important: procedures describe how work is intended to be carried out, while records provide evidence of what has been done and support traceability. That separation helps a management system remain understandable, consistent, and maintainable.

• Building documentation structures suited to the organization’s needs
• Keeping documents current and maintained over time
• Linking processes, responsibilities, and records in a consistent way
• Describing the quality management system in a clear and usable form