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
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-----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
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