Principle 7 Factual approach to decision making:

Effective decisions are based on the analysis of data and informationKey benefits:

• Informed decisions.
• An increased ability to demonstrate the effectiveness of past decisions through reference to factual records.
• Increased ability to review, challenge and change opinions and decisions.
• Applying the principle of factual approach to decision making typically leads to:
• Ensuring that data and information are sufficiently accurate and reliable.
• Making data accessible to those who need it.
• Analysing data and information using valid methods.
• Making decisions and taking action based on factual analysis, balanced with experience and intuition.

  Principle 8 Mutually beneficial supplier relationships:An organization and its suppliers are interdependent and a mutually beneficial relationship enhances the ability of both to create valueKey benefits:

• Increased ability to create value for both parties.
• Flexibility and speed of joint responses to changing market or customer needs and expectations.
• Optimization of costs and resources.

Applying the principles of mutually beneficial supplier relationships typically leads to:

• Establishing relationships that balance short-term gains with long-term considerations.
• Pooling of expertise and resources with partners.
• Identifying and selecting key suppliers.
• Clear and open communication.
• Sharing information and future plans.
• Establishing joint development and improvement activities.
• Inspiring, encouraging and recognizing improvements and achievements by suppliers.

  The next step: This document provides a general perspective on the quality management principles underlying the ISO 9000:2000 series. It gives an overview of these principles and shows how, collectively, they can form a basis for performance improvement and organizational excellence. There are many different ways of applying these quality management principles. The nature of the organization and the specific challenges it faces will determine how to implement them. Many organizations will find it beneficial to set up quality management systems based on these principles. The requirements of quality management systems and supporting guidelines are given in the ISO 9000 - Selection and use.