– by Jacob Hargadon
Bio-Hacks, Money Hacks, weight loss hacks, we’ve heard it all. However, none of these hacks are successful without good planning, implementation, review and improvement. Perhaps these “hacks” aren’t really hacks, but just a means to an end. These hacks will not be successful without an end goal in mind. Ever downloaded a fitness app? One of the first few questions you’re asked as part of “tailoring the program for you” is what your goals are.
What I have come to learn in my time at QMII and immersing myself in the world of ISO 9001 is that the real “hack” isn’t a cold shower, investing 10% of your paycheck into a 401k or drinking green tea for weight loss. The real hack is the process that when properly implemented using a PDCA approach has the greatest likelihood of success. Using this approach has helped me improve professionally and personally and outlined below is the roadmap.
PDCA – A cycle for success
Since joining QMII I’ve learned a ton about ISO 9001 (no surprises here) and have grown to appreciate the value of a process-based system approach. Full Disclosure – at first, it was confusing, a bit dull, and the language used within the standard was certainly levels above the colloquial I speak. However, once the general idea of the standard was grasped, I realized that the ISO 9001 PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) framework is one of the biggest life hacks out there. When you take its structure and apply it to your daily life, the results can be incredible.
I’m not talking about memorizing every clause because that would be absolutely insane (a few of QMII SMEs have done this and they are awesome). What I am talking about is the general structure behind ISO 9001—specifically, the PDCA cycle. It’s simple, but when applied, it can transform both business performance and personal growth. If you’re still reading this, here is how it works and how it has improved my life.
Plan
If any of you have kids, this may very well resonate. If you’re like me and don’t have a kid, well, just imagine it’s your little cousin or something.
Have you ever spoken to a child and had to do a deep dive into a subject? Now I know some of you are thinking “Jacob the question is more like when do I not have to…?”! To elaborate, let’s say you tell a Child that the sky is blue, and they’ll ask Why? Then you’ll tell him it’s because of light reflecting off the ocean to which he will respond why? And soon you find yourself in a physics lesson with your cousin.
Relating it to what I do, yearly sales goals need to be broken down into quarterly goals and then a plan will be put in place to achieve these with a review being done each quarter. One of my biggest takeaways is the importance of specificity. In ISO 9001, vague goals don’t cut it—processes, objectives, and responsibilities must be crystal clear. Saying “I want to make $X per year” isn’t the same as “I want to generate $X in sales by the end of Q3”. Specificity, communicating clearly, builds accountability and provides a roadmap for effective implementation and continual improvement.
Do
I enjoy my job and would like to keep it. And that’s why the “do” aspect is so important not only for work but life itself. In ISO standard-based systems, organizations implement their processes; in life, we follow through on habits and routines. For me, this might mean sticking to an outreach schedule, blocking time for focused work, or simply staying consistent with the commitments I’ve made. Execution is where momentum is built. And when things don’t go as planned or I make an error it’s merely an opportunity to learn – to improve my plan for the next time.
Check
Depending on how I’m doing in the quarter, this is either my favorite or least favorite stage—the Check stage. Similar to ISO 9001, this is where we decide what needs to be monitored, how we’re going to measure it, and when those checks should take place. Just as organizations analyze data to see if processes are effective, I do the same in my life—whether it’s reviewing yearly sales numbers or testing a new PR at the end of a 12-week lifting program. Without clearly defining how and when to conduct an honest review, it’s too easy to drift into autopilot and miss opportunities to improve. One more thing: don’t forget to keep your documented evidence. Whether it’s your before-and-after gym photos or your sales metrics, having proof of your efforts helps you track progress, stay accountable, and make informed adjustments for the next cycle.
Act
Just as ISO requires management reviews, I’ve learned the value of stopping to evaluate my own progress as well as when I report data up the chain of command. Are my systems actually working? Am I closer to my goals this month than last?
This is where continual improvement happens. Your system should not stop at identifying issues—it requires action. As such, for me, that might mean shifting my schedule once I realize I’m more productive in the mornings or adjusting my outreach strategy when certain approaches don’t land. The point isn’t just to collect data—it’s to act on it.
At its core, ISO 9001 is about structure. And I’ve found that when I apply that same structure to my daily life, I stop just reacting to circumstances and instead build systems that set me (and my team) up for continual improvement. And this system has worked wonders in my life both professionally as well as personally.
Concluding thought!
Whether in an organization or in life, the message is the same: Plan with all relevant inputs, risks and clarity, Do with intention, Check honestly, and Act to improve.
