While many of these may be obtained purely from a scripted course and successful completion of an examination, a consultant needs an understanding and knowledge of ISO 9000 implementation for your industry. This should include a time-phase plan for documenting, implementing, and training of the quality system. This plan should clearly identify all the steps from start to finish and apply realistic timeframes for accomplishment. Be suspicious of a consultant who claims a shortcut to implementation that can be accomplished in three to five months. Further, evaluate the structure of their quality documentation.
Every company is different based on their scope, industry, and size.
The consultant should be capable and willing to spend the time to create a quality manual, process documentation, and work instructions that are tailored to your company, and which will stand the test of time. Be suspicious of a consultant who claims a shortcut to implementation that can be accomplished in three to five months. While this attribute may be the most difficult to evaluate after a 2-hour interview and a check of references, it is what separates a skilled consultant from a rigid, egotistical bore. Weaknesses in other traits can be overlooked if you can find that consultant with the ability to rapidly identify your organizational strengths and weaknesses, and apply the necessary firepower and resources to motivate your company to improve. He will perform specific in-house technical instruction, and not just a generic training session.