Which aspect is more emphasized in ISO documentation compared to EFQM?

The emphasis on mandatory documentation in ISO standards is a key aspect that distinguishes it from the EFQM (European Foundation for Quality Management) framework. ISO standards, particularly those like ISO 9001 for quality management systems, require organizations to establish, implement, and maintain a documented quality management system. This includes detailed documentation of processes, procedures, and records to ensure consistency and compliance with the requirements of the standard.

Mandatory documentation serves several purposes: it facilitates communication and understanding across the organization, enhances accountability, and provides a record that can be audited to ensure compliance with the ISO standard. As a result, organizations seeking ISO certification must carefully document their processes and quality management activities, and this documentation is examined during audits by certification bodies.

In contrast, the EFQM model is centered around achieving excellence and encourages organizations to focus on continuous improvement and results, but it does not impose the same stringent requirements for documentation. Instead, EFQM promotes a more flexible approach to processes and performance evaluation, which may lead to less emphasis on extensive documentation.

Thus, the focus on mandatory documentation in ISO standards is critical to ensuring standardized quality management practices across organizations, underscoring its importance relative to EFQM's more flexible framework.