Identification of Sources of “Organizational Knowledge” Clause 7.1.6 of ISO 9001:2015 & IATF 16949:2016

Under the main clause 7, SUPPORT of ISO 9001:2015 the clause 7.1.6 which is about the organizational knowledge.

This states that organizational knowledge is based on internal and external sources and is gained by the experience. This all together is the important information which is use to achieve the objectives of the organization.

The clause 7.1.6, of the standard states that:         

The organization shall determine the knowledge necessary for the operation of its processes and to achieve conformity of products and services.

This knowledge shall be maintained and be made available to the extent necessary.

When addressing changing needs and trends, the organization shall consider its current knowledge and determine how to acquire or access any necessary additional knowledge and required updates.

Note 1 Organizational knowledge is knowledge specific to the organization; generally gained by experience. It is information that is used and shared to achieve the organization’s objectives.
 
Note 2 Organizational knowledge can be based on

1.Internal Sources (e.g. intellectual property, knowledge gained from experience, lessons learned from failures and successful projects; capturing and sharing undocumented knowledge and experience; the results of improvements in processes, products and services);

2.External Sources (e.g. standards, academia, conferences, gathering knowledge from customers or external providers).

There is need to consider the current knowledge of the organization base on the change and trends and accordingly knowledge is upgraded by acquiring the additional knowledge.

The gathered knowledge shall be maintained i.e. documented and made available.

The knowledge can be determined in any organization, to carry out this, first determine the process involved for smooth operation.

The processes can be in general categorised as below:

1. Management
2. Human Resources
3. Planning
4. Production
5. Purchase
6. Maintenance
7. Marketing
8. Quality
9. QMS

Base on the above different processes, related knowledge which has to be determined for gap analysis with respect to clause 4 to 10, can be categorised as below:

This is to be keep in mind that, we are here talking about ISO, ISO 9001, IATF so it is important that knowledge of these standard is must in all processes and same to be gone through the process of learning and development.

1. Management

6. Maintenance

1. Working experience
2. Safety skill
3. Maintenance planning
4. Spare Management Preventive Maintenance

7. Marketing

1. Negotiation Skill
2. Communication
3. Integrity
4. Knowledge of costing
5. Product knowledge
6. Product process rout knowledge
7. Product specification knowledge

8.Quality

1. Manufacturing process knowledge
2. Testing knowledge
3. Knowledge of inspection of products
4. Use of quality tools and techniques
5. Communication
6. Knowledge of MSA
7. APQP& PPAP
8. Confidentiality

9. Quality Management System

1. Knowledge of QMS
2. Knowledge of various ISO standards
3. Company profile
4. Core tools
5. Quality Tools and techniques
6. Auditing skill
7. Communication

The other requirement can be listed as listening, etiquettes and educational qualification etc.

Besides above mentioned organization knowledge, other organization specific knowledge can be added to the list.