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TopQM-Systems supports organisations in consolidating multiple management systems, extending an existing quality management system into an IMS and establishing an integrated management system that is effective, transparent and audit-ready.
An integrated management system – IMS for short – combines the requirements of several management systems within a single framework. Rather than managing quality, environmental, energy, occupational health and safety or information security requirements separately, overarching processes, responsibilities, documentation and records are managed collectively.
An IMS is not a certifiable standard in its own right. It provides an overarching framework within which different ISO standards and other sector-specific requirements can be efficiently combined.
Typical common components of an IMS include:
This creates an integrated management system that is not merely documented, but is actively applied in day-to-day operations and continuously improved.
You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.
— James Clear, Atomic Habits
For companies, this means that quality, environmental, and occupational health and safety goals need clear processes and responsibilities that are put into practice every day. An integrated management system brings these elements together and helps turn goals into lasting results.
An Integrated Management System (IMS) combines different requirements such as quality, environmental management, energy management, occupational health and safety, information security and compliance within one common process and organizational structure. Instead of operating several management systems in parallel, processes, responsibilities, documentation, audits and management mechanisms are integrated across the organization.
Key benefits for companies include:
Shared processes, rules, documentation and records help avoid duplicate work. Information does not need to be maintained separately for each management system, reducing redundant activities and administrative effort.
Quality, environmental, energy, occupational health and safety, information security and other requirements are integrated directly into existing business processes. Process owners take responsibility for the relevant requirements within their processes, while management system representatives can focus more strongly on coordination, expert support and further development of the system.
An IMS enables an integrated approach to quality, environmental, energy, occupational health and safety, compliance, information security and supply chain risks. Objectives and KPIs can be managed jointly and presented transparently through centralized KPI or management dashboards.
Instead of maintaining separate manuals, procedures, forms and action lists, companies can establish one consistent structure. This reduces maintenance, revision and administrative effort while ensuring that information is centrally available and traceable.
Processes can be audited holistically instead of being reviewed several times against individual management systems. Management reviews can also be combined across different standards. This reduces audit effort, staff involvement and repeated coordination with management and executives.
Competence requirements, qualifications and training activities can be managed through shared competence matrices and coordinated training plans. This improves transparency and helps avoid unnecessary duplication of qualifications and training activities.
By considering several management systems together, processes do not need to be analyzed and improved multiple times. Integrated certification audits can also reduce audit effort. Depending on the level of integration, IAF MD 11:2023 allows for a reduction in audit duration of up to 20% compared with the calculated starting point.
If several management systems are also certified by one certification body, additional benefits may result from coordinated audit planning, fewer auditor journeys and lower contractual, administrative and coordination effort.
Thanks to the harmonized structure of modern ISO management system standards, additional requirements such as information security, compliance or AI management can be integrated more easily into existing processes. New sites, legal entities or additional management systems can also be incorporated more efficiently into the existing structure.
Based on practical IMS projects implemented by TopQM-Systems, consistent integration can unlock significant efficiency potential. Depending on the initial situation, the number of management systems, the existing level of integration and the certification structure, savings potential of up to approximately 40% compared with separate management systems may be achievable.
Depending on the organisation, sector and customer requirements, different management systems can be integrated into a common structure.
ISO 9001 often forms the basis of an integrated management system. Existing quality processes can be supplemented with additional requirements and extended into a common management structure.
Environmental aspects, compliance obligations, environmental objectives and operational measures are incorporated into existing management and business processes.
Hazards, occupational health and safety measures and responsibilities are linked to existing management, HR and operational processes.
Energy data, energy reviews, key performance indicators and improvement programmes are integrated into the overall management framework.
Information security risks, protective measures and evidence are linked to existing processes, responsibilities and control mechanisms.
EN 9100 extends the requirements of ISO 9001 with industry-specific requirements for the aerospace and defence sector and can be integrated into existing management systems.
AQAP 2110 supplements ISO 9001 with NATO-specific quality assurance requirements for design, development and production and can be integrated into an existing quality management system.
AQAP 2310 defines NATO quality assurance requirements for suppliers in the aerospace and defence industry and can be integrated with existing quality management structures.
Do you need support with the implementation or further development of a management system? On our consulting pages, you will find more information about the respective standards, requirements and our support in preparing for certification.
Many ISO management system standards follow a common basic structure. This was previously referred to as the High Level Structure – HLS for short – and is now known as the Harmonised Structure.
The comparable structure and common requirements make it easier to integrate different ISO management systems. Overarching topics such as context, leadership, planning, support, performance evaluation and improvement do not need to be organised entirely separately.
TopQM-Systems uses these common elements to:
The standards are not merely combined within a single manual. The aim is to establish a unified process and management structure that is effectively applied throughout the organisation.
Integrated management system consultancy is particularly beneficial when:
TopQM-Systems supports organisations from the initial IMS gap analysis through to implementation and the further development of the integrated management system.
We assess existing management systems, certifications, processes, sites and customer- and sector-specific requirements. Together, we define which systems are to be integrated and what the intended target structure should look like.
We compare the existing structures with the relevant requirements. This enables us to identify gaps, overlaps, parallel structures and specific opportunities for integration.
Based on the analysis, we develop an appropriate integration strategy. We determine which processes can be managed jointly and where subject-specific arrangements remain necessary.
We develop an overarching IMS process landscape. Requirements are assigned not only to individual clauses of the standards, but to the organisation’s actual management, core and support processes.
Responsibilities, interfaces and authorities are clearly defined. This ensures that the IMS is embedded within the organisation’s processes and is not supported solely by individual management system representatives.
Existing policies, process descriptions, work instructions, forms and records are reviewed, consolidated and streamlined.
TopQM-Systems supports the practical implementation, assists process owners and prepares the system for auditing through internal audits, key performance indicators, management reviews and improvement actions.
For organisations with multiple sites, we support the gradual implementation of common structures. Following implementation, we assist with stabilising and continuously improving the IMS.
Many organisations already operate a quality management system in accordance with ISO 9001 or IATF 16949. This can be used as a basis and extended to include environmental management, energy management, occupational health and safety or information security.
TopQM-Systems assesses:
This prevents the creation of another parallel system. Instead, the existing quality management system is systematically developed into an integrated management system.
Integrated management systems are suitable for organisations of different sizes and across a wide range of sectors. The standards and requirements to be combined depend on the organisation’s processes, risks, customer requirements and intended certifications.
TopQM-Systems develops sector- and organisation-specific IMS solutions – from lean structures for SMEs to cross-site management systems for internationally operating organisations.
Automotive manufacturers and suppliers entering new business areas in aviation, aerospace or defence can systematically develop their existing management systems. Structures based on ISO 9001 or IATF 16949 often provide an important foundation.
TopQM-Systems supports the integration of additional requirements from EN 9100, AQAP, information security, supplier management and project management into existing processes and management systems.
An IMS does not need to consist of isolated files, separate folder structures and manually maintained lists. TopQM-Systems supports organisations in digitally mapping integrated management systems using Microsoft 365 and SharePoint.
Possible components of a digital IMS include:
The digital solution is tailored to the organisation’s actual processes, responsibilities and requirements.
An integrated management system can only work effectively if those responsible understand how the standards interrelate and can confidently apply the system in day-to-day operations.
Although an IMS is not a certifiable standard in its own right, the ISO management systems integrated within it can be audited jointly or in a coordinated manner.
TopQM-Systems supports you with:
The focus is not solely on obtaining a certificate. What matters is an effective management system that improves processes, reduces risks and works in day-to-day operations.
Depending on the project, location and scope, IMS consultancy can be provided on-site, online or in a hybrid format.
Online sessions are suitable for:
Together, we select the consultancy format that best suits your organisation and IMS project.
An integrated management system combines the requirements of at least two management systems within a single structure for processes, documentation and management. Rather than operating separate systems in parallel, overarching requirements are implemented jointly.
ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, ISO 50001 and ISO/IEC 27001 are frequently combined. Sector-specific requirements such as IATF 16949, TISAX, EN 9100 or AQAP can also be incorporated.
No. An integrated management system is not a separate certifiable ISO standard. The individual management systems integrated within it continue to be assessed and certified against their respective standard requirements.
ISO consultancy focuses on implementing or developing a specific management system. IMS consultancy combines several management systems and standardises their overarching processes, documentation, audits and responsibilities.
Yes. A quality management system based on ISO 9001 or IATF 16949 frequently serves as the starting point. It can be extended to include environmental management, occupational health and safety, energy management or information security.
The High Level Structure, now known as the Harmonised Structure, is the common basic structure used by many ISO management system standards. It facilitates integration because different standards contain comparable clauses, terminology and overarching requirements.
Yes. SMEs in particular benefit from shared processes, clearly defined responsibilities and streamlined documentation. The scope of the IMS should be adapted to the organisation’s size, risks and relevant requirements.
Integrated internal audits are possible if all relevant requirements are systematically included within a common audit programme. Combined external certification audits can also be coordinated with the relevant certification body.
Shared audit programmes, standardised records and overarching processes reduce overlaps. Comparable requirements do not need to be assessed repeatedly and independently.
An integrated management system can be implemented using Microsoft 365 and SharePoint, for example. Processes, documents, actions, key performance indicators and audit records are organised within a shared digital structure.
Would you like to consolidate several management systems, extend an existing quality management system or make your IMS more efficient and digital?
TopQM-Systems supports you from the IMS gap analysis and development of a common process landscape through to implementation, audit preparation and continuous improvement.
Discuss with us which management systems need to be integrated and what an appropriate structure for your organisation could look like.
