An action plan can be developed using the gap analysis information. A common approach is for an organization to secure the services of a professionals to actually write the system, starting with the OHS policy statement continuing through to preparation of procedures and continual improvement forms. The second approach, and the one recommended here, is to have minimal professional support, in the form of coaching and quality control, with the primary development of the system being performed by the organization's employees. This step typically takes place in increments over a period of time up to several years. This is typically required or requested by stakeholders or markets.
Organizations pursue registration for any number of reasons.
For instance, registration may be necessary for entry into specific markets, or it may be required by specific customers. There is a sense that a point may be reached where actions are taken in an inefficient manner simply as a means to fulfill continual improvement requirments. This is not the case. As such, an organization wants to carefully think through how it will define its continual improvement component, especially if system registration will be sought.