This is exactly right. the fact of the matter is, many organizations already have these types of documents and practices in place. I do think that ISO 9000 is perhaps the wrong approach for museums. although i'm not an expert in ISO by any means. it just seems, that after reviewing many of the typical scenarios that fall under ISO9000, museums just don't fit. there are many ISO standards areas to be looked at. the 9000 series evolves around the non-conforming product, be that widget or service. i think accredidation (sp? please it's late) is along the lines we are all looking for. The thing that seems funniest to me (and i hope this next statement doesn't put me on some international hit list) is that ISO seems very confusing to most. In the end it's just as the gentlman says below. you describe what it is you do for any given task. you do what you described that you would do. and if anyone looks at your description, and then checks what you did, they match. Now the funny part, most companies hire in an ISO expert at about $1000 a day or more to help them figure this out!!! that kills me! well, someone please point out an oversight in my comments. Gary Acord Acord Information Management [log in to unmask] -----Original Message----- From: Museum discussion list On Behalf Of John A. Bing Sent: Wednesday, August 20, 1997 4:14 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: ISO 9000 standards in museums On Wed, 20 Aug 1997 16:12:53 -0400, you wrote: =46rom my own experience in managing engineering and construction projects, and lecturing on the subject, there is as much confusion on ISO900 as there is understanding. The misunderstanding is that it sets up a whole new system of standards for a manufacturer to abide by when in fact it is , as mentioned above, a system of reporting on quality. The best description of the system, told to me by the man in charge of implementing it in his company goes as follows: Say what you do. Do what you said you would do, and Document that you did what you said you would do. In other words, and as might apply to a museum, it would be to have a manual describing the various operations taken to classify, to preserve and to display the collection. It doesn't dictate that you change them but it does allow others to check to see that you know what to do and whether you, in fact, did do it. =20 When you view ISO 9000 in this manner, virtually all of the staff of an organization can apply it to whatever they do, be it secretarial, janitorial or construction. There is of course a follow on aspect of this and it is to continually monitor your operations and to make improvements and to amend the manual accordingly.=20 John A. Bing PMP -- John A. Bing [log in to unmask]