Abstract

When organizations implement ISO 9001 narrowly, the certification acts as a compliance system. When implemented as intended, ISO 9001 functions as a business management system. During organizational transitions, (for example, reorganizations, mergers or operating model redesigns), organizations can lose sight over how ISO 9001 must function as a governing force in how decisions should be made. This disconnect gives rise to a predictable and often invisible failure mode: governance drift. To right the ship, ISO 9001 must be reclaimed as a business management system—and governance deliberately redesigned to reflect new structures. This allows organizations to retain control even as they change.