ISO 9001:2015 implementation in the e-learning based virtual teaching program

Abstract

“Total quality management is a journey, not a destination.” ∼Berry. Success of a system comes from the satisfaction of the user and efficiency of the product. ISO 9001 is a quality management system, which explicitly focuses to achieve worth of a system through its guidelines and set of generic requirements. The outcome or end result of the quality audit differs based on the different programs, environments, services intended and target audience however the requirements and practices to accomplish the task remains the same. Assurance of proficient application and contentment to the end user is objective of the e-Learning based “Virtual Teaching program in Medical Sciences and health services”, being developed and implemented by CDAC, Noida for the benefit of the medical students of the two medical colleges-North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health & Medical Sciences(NEIGRIHMS), Shillong & Regional Institute of Medical Sciences(RIMS), Imphal. The e-Learning program on which ISO 9001:2015 is applied is a first of the kind endeavor in the medical field with e-courses designed and delivered in the area of health & medical education. To ensure the delivery of quality in e-Learning courses through Virtual Teaching (V.T), compliance of the program, as per the ISO 9001:2015 quality standards were tested and successfully implemented. Various processes including Risk estimation, Project Management Plan(PMP), Effort estimation etc. for the quality assurance of the program were documented and implemented. After a series of internal & external audits, the program was qualified and conformed as the ISO 9001:2015 standard certified program. The major learning of this achievement was preparation of overall processes which focuses on the high quality and competent product development and delivery. This paper provides the details of the processes developed for achieving the ISO 9001:2015 certification and how the achievement benefitted in the program in enhancing the overall quality of the virtual teaching. The paper also proposes possible standard based application of the ISO 9001:2015 processes in various e-Learning programs for assured quality managed services & processes.