Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to commonly asked questions about management systems consulting and ISO certification. 

Management System Consulting & Training

We help organisations design, implement and improve Quality, Safety and Environmental Management Systems. These systems are aligned with ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 and built to reflect how your business actually operates.

Our team conducts thorough audits and gap assessments to identify areas of improvement in your management system. We provide detailed reports and recommendations to ensure that your system not only meets ISO standards but also supports your business objectives effectively.

In addition, our consultants can work directly with your key team members to ensure you are prepared for third party management system audits. We can also manage your internal audit schedule, and perform independent internal audits on your system.

Management systems should be reviewed at least annually, though more frequent reviews may be necessary based on industry dynamics or business changes.

To maintain effective Quality, Safety, and Environmental Management Systems compliant with ISO 9001, ISO 45001, and ISO 14001, our system review service is ideal for clients with limited time and resources. This is especially important for clients with ISO certified systems, to ensure preparedness for surveillance and re-certification audits.

If your business has undergone substantial change or growth, contact us to arrange a system review ahead of your next scheduled audit.

Clients of SP+ benefit from internationally recognised training provided by Auditor Training Co, part of the Southpac International Group. This includes ISO standards courses and Lead Auditor training, such as the 5-day Integrated Management Systems (IMS) Lead Auditor course, the 2-day Internal & External Lead Auditor course, and various ISO standards courses like ISO 9001, ISO 45001, and ISO 14001.

These programs equip your team with the skills to maintain, audit, and improve your ISO-certified management systems. SP+ clients also receive exclusive discounts and rates on all Auditor Training Co courses, providing added value and ongoing support.​

We start by understanding your business operations, risks, obligations and goals. Then we design a system that fits your processes and supports your people. This approach works across industries like construction, engineering, aviation and professional services.

An Integrated Management System combines the requirements of ISO 9001, 14001 and 45001 into one structure. It reduces duplication, simplifies compliance and helps your business manage risks and responsibilities more efficiently.

Yes. We provide full support from initial gap assessments through to certification audits. That includes system development, documentation, internal audits and audit preparation.

Internal audits help test how your system is working in practice. We conduct independent audits that assess compliance, identify risks and highlight areas for improvement. Audits can focus on specific processes, sites or your entire system.

We create policies, procedures, manuals, registers and forms that meet ISO requirements and reflect how work is actually done. Our focus is on clear, usable documentation that supports both compliance and operations.

Yes. We assess your current system to identify any gaps, overlaps or issues. We then help improve the structure and content so it is more effective, easier to maintain and better aligned with your business.

It depends on your size and scope, but most projects take between 8 and 16 weeks. We provide a clear timeline and work closely with your team throughout the process.

Yes. We can implement a traditional system using documents and spreadsheets or a digital system using our SP+ SharePoint platform. Both options are aligned with ISO standards and can be scaled over time.

We combine practical consulting with system design and technology. Our team includes experienced auditors and SharePoint specialists who work together to build systems that are both compliant and easy to use.

Integrated Management System Development

An Integrated Management System, or IMS, brings together Quality, Safety and Environmental frameworks into one structured system. This approach allows organisations to manage ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 requirements through a single, cohesive platform.

An integrated approach helps reduce duplication, streamline reporting, and improve system performance. It supports better alignment across departments, simplifies audits and reviews, and helps demonstrate strong governance to clients and regulators.

We commonly include ISO 9001 for Quality, ISO 14001 for Environment and ISO 45001 for Health and Safety. These three standards work well together, but other standards can also be integrated depending on your business needs.

Integration is beneficial for businesses of any size. Smaller organisations often see efficiency gains by managing everything in one place, while larger companies benefit from improved coordination and governance across teams and sites.

We start by understanding how your business operates, then build the system around your actual processes, roles and risks. This ensures the framework is relevant, easy to maintain and supports how your people already work.

Yes. Many of our clients develop an IMS as part of their certification pathway. We align the system to the requirements of each ISO standard so you are well prepared for both Stage 1 and Stage 2 certification audits.

No. Some organisations begin with one standard and add others later. We can design your system to support staged integration, allowing your business to grow into the full framework over time.

An IMS includes policies, procedures, risk registers, compliance obligations, incident and hazard reports, objectives, and improvement records. These are structured to support all three standards without unnecessary duplication.

Timelines vary depending on scope and resources, but most implementations take between 10 and 16 weeks. We provide a clear project plan and work closely with your team throughout the process.

Internal Audits

An internal audit is a structured review of your management system to check how well it is working in practice. It helps assess compliance with ISO standards and identifies areas for improvement before external audits.

Internal audits are a core requirement of ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001. They provide evidence that your system is being implemented, help detect nonconformances early, and support continual improvement across your business.

We conduct independent internal audits tailored to your system and operations. This includes audit planning, evidence collection, evaluation of compliance, and reporting of findings with practical recommendations.

Absolutely. Internal audits can focus on specific areas such as a department, process, or location. We also offer full-system audits that assess overall alignment with your ISO standards.

Yes. Our consultants are certified lead auditors with experience across ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001. They understand the requirements of each standard and how to apply them across different industries.

Yes. We provide a clear audit report that includes strengths, nonconformances, observations, and recommended actions. Reports are structured by ISO clause to make follow-up easier and support audit readiness.

Most organisations conduct internal audits at least once per year. Some choose to audit more frequently based on risk, system maturity, or upcoming certification timelines.

Yes. We can help create a risk-based audit schedule that aligns with your system’s scope, legal obligations and business priorities. This includes planning for recurring audits and preparing for external reviews.

We offer follow-up support to close out nonconformances, review corrective actions and help you improve your system. We also assist with preparing evidence for external audits or surveillance visits.

Yes. If you use our SP+ SharePoint platform, internal audits can be scheduled, tracked and reported using SmartForms and dashboards. This helps manage findings, assign actions, and maintain audit readiness year-round.

ISO Certification

Our team of management system consultants can guide you through every step of the ISO certification process, from system development and documentation to training and audit preparation. With an in-depth knowledge of the standards and your organisation, we ensure that your management system meets all ISO requirements, preparing you effectively for the certification audit. 

The SP+ SharePoint solution stands out by providing an all-in-one platform where all necessary forms and systems for Quality, Safety, and Environmental Management are included and ready to use from day one. Unlike many QHSE platforms that require businesses to create forms and workflows from scratch, SP+ comes equipped with smart forms for incident reporting, hazard identification, risk assessments, audits and more. This immediate availability reduces the time and effort required to implement an effective management system.

With built-in modules such as risk management and document control, organisations can quickly establish processes that align with ISO certification requirements, ensuring compliance and readiness for audits without the usual setup delays. This comprehensive approach allows businesses to focus on their core operations while confidently managing their management systems.

The SP+ software platform is aligned to the ISO standards for Quality (ISO 9001:2015), Safety (ISO 45001:2018) and Environmental management (ISO 14001:2015). The built-in modules are designed based on the requirements of each standard, helping you maintain continuous compliance. By utilising the platform’s ongoing monitoring and reporting features, you can ensure your management system adheres to the relevant ISO standard.

Features such as the integrated Risk Management Module allow businesses to capture risk events, assess their impact, and implement controls seamlessly, ensuring that potential issues are addressed proactively. The Audit Module helps businesses schedule and track internal audits, manage findings, and ensure corrective actions are completed. Additionally, the system’s built-in Goals/Objectives and Management Review modules ensure continuous improvement and keep the company aligned with the requirements for ISO 9001 certification, ISO 45001 certification and ISO 14001 certification.