Management review is the mechanism through which top management fulfills its leadership commitment to the quality management system. Clause 9.3 requires top management to review the QMS at planned intervals to ensure its continuing suitability, adequacy, effectiveness, and alignment with strategic direction.
Required Review Inputs (9.3.2)
Management review must include consideration of the status of actions from previous reviews, changes in external and internal issues relevant to the QMS, QMS performance and effectiveness information (including trends in customer satisfaction and feedback, quality objectives achievement, process performance and product/service conformity, nonconformities and corrective actions, monitoring and measurement results, audit results, and external provider performance), adequacy of resources, effectiveness of actions to address risks and opportunities, and opportunities for improvement.
Required Review Outputs (9.3.3)
Management review outputs must include decisions and actions related to improvement opportunities, any need for changes to the QMS, and resource needs.
Best Practices
- Prepare a structured agenda covering all required inputs
- Use dashboards and trend charts to make performance data actionable
- Record decisions and action items with assigned owners and due dates
- Conduct reviews at least annually; quarterly reviews are more effective
- Track completion of actions from previous reviews
- Use management review as a strategic quality tool, not just a compliance exercise
Common Pitfalls
- Conducting superficial reviews that do not lead to meaningful decisions
- Not including all required inputs in the review
- Failing to track and close actions from previous reviews
- Not retaining documented information of management review results
Related Ecesis Solutions
Document Management
Version-controlled procedures and records
Audits & Inspections
Schedule, conduct, and track audit findings
Nonconformity Tracking
Report, investigate, and resolve nonconformities
Training Management
Track competence requirements and records
Change Management
Structured review of planned changes
Compliance Obligations
Track requirements and evaluation schedules
