Training Module
Training Module
Improvement Management
Understand corrective actions, root cause analysis, action tracking, and effectiveness verification in management systems
Understand
Implement
Manage
Audit
Training module overview
Corrective action and continual improvement are expected in ISO-style management systems, yet improvement work often becomes inconsistent: issues are logged, quick fixes are applied, and actions close without clear evidence that the underlying problem is resolved.
This full-day module teaches how to run a structured improvement workflow from trigger to closure: classify and screen issues, perform pragmatic root cause analysis, define outcome-oriented actions, implement them in normal operations, and verify effectiveness with proportionate evidence. It focuses on building a sustainable improvement process that holds up under scrutiny and supports real operational reliability.
Corrective action and continual improvement are expected in ISO-style management systems, yet improvement work often becomes inconsistent: issues are logged, quick fixes are applied, and actions close without clear evidence that the underlying problem is resolved.
This full-day module teaches how to run a structured improvement workflow from trigger to closure: classify and screen issues, perform pragmatic root cause analysis, define outcome-oriented actions, implement them in normal operations, and verify effectiveness with proportionate evidence. It focuses on building a sustainable improvement process that holds up under scrutiny and supports real operational reliability.
Target audience
Management system implementers and coordinators
Quality, information security, environmental, and HSE managers
Process owners responsible for implementing corrective actions
Team leaders needing a consistent approach to corrective actions and follow-through
Internal auditors who need to evaluate corrective action records and effectiveness evidence (without teaching audit craft)
Management system implementers and coordinators
Quality, information security, environmental, and HSE managers
Process owners responsible for implementing corrective actions
Team leaders needing a consistent approach to corrective actions and follow-through
Internal auditors who need to evaluate corrective action records and effectiveness evidence (without teaching audit craft)
Agenda
Improvement in management system logic
Corrective action and continual improvement as part of system maintenance
How improvement work connects to governance routines (e.g., management review follow-up)
Nonconformities and types of response
Correction vs. corrective action vs. improvement
Common failure modes: symptom fixes, vague actions, premature closure
From trigger to closure: a disciplined workflow
Typical triggers: audits, incidents, complaints, trends, internal insights
Screening, ownership assignment, and decision points for escalation
Root cause analysis without bureaucracy
5 Whys: making causal chains testable and evidence-linked
Cause–effect mapping for multi-factor situations
Defining effective actions
Writing actions that are specific, feasible, and outcome-oriented
Linking actions to processes, roles, controls, and training where relevant
Prioritisation and planning within the improvement register
Practical triage criteria (severity, recurrence potential, operational impact, dependency)
Planning with owners, dates, and clear completion evidence
Implementation and follow-through
Embedding actions in day-to-day execution (tasks, tickets, routines)
Preventing “register-only” management through visible ownership
Effectiveness verification
Choosing proportionate checks to confirm the problem is resolved
Recognising partial resolution, drift, and recurrence signals
Improvement register and audit-ready records
What to document (and what not to) for traceability and learning
Status discipline, versioning, and minimum evidence expectations
Workshop
Perform root cause analysis on a case
Define 1–3 actions with completion and evidence criteria
Draft an effectiveness verification plan
Improvement in management system logic
Corrective action and continual improvement as part of system maintenance
How improvement work connects to governance routines (e.g., management review follow-up)
Nonconformities and types of response
Correction vs. corrective action vs. improvement
Common failure modes: symptom fixes, vague actions, premature closure
From trigger to closure: a disciplined workflow
Typical triggers: audits, incidents, complaints, trends, internal insights
Screening, ownership assignment, and decision points for escalation
Root cause analysis without bureaucracy
5 Whys: making causal chains testable and evidence-linked
Cause–effect mapping for multi-factor situations
Defining effective actions
Writing actions that are specific, feasible, and outcome-oriented
Linking actions to processes, roles, controls, and training where relevant
Prioritisation and planning within the improvement register
Practical triage criteria (severity, recurrence potential, operational impact, dependency)
Planning with owners, dates, and clear completion evidence
Implementation and follow-through
Embedding actions in day-to-day execution (tasks, tickets, routines)
Preventing “register-only” management through visible ownership
Effectiveness verification
Choosing proportionate checks to confirm the problem is resolved
Recognising partial resolution, drift, and recurrence signals
Improvement register and audit-ready records
What to document (and what not to) for traceability and learning
Status discipline, versioning, and minimum evidence expectations
Workshop
Perform root cause analysis on a case
Define 1–3 actions with completion and evidence criteria
Draft an effectiveness verification plan
Course ID:
HAM-IM-1
Audience:
Auditor
Manager
Domain:
Agnostic
Available in:
English
Duration:
7 h
List price:
CHF 550
Excl. VAT. VAT may apply depending on customer location and status.
What you get
Learning outcomes
Distinguish correction, corrective action, and improvement and apply them appropriately
Run a consistent workflow from issue trigger to closure with clear ownership and status control
Perform pragmatic root cause analysis that separates causes from symptoms
Define corrective actions with clear outcomes, responsibilities, and completion evidence
Integrate corrective actions into operational routines to ensure follow-through
Verify effectiveness using proportionate checks and credible evidence
Maintain an improvement register that is sustainable and reviewable
Distinguish correction, corrective action, and improvement and apply them appropriately
Run a consistent workflow from issue trigger to closure with clear ownership and status control
Perform pragmatic root cause analysis that separates causes from symptoms
Define corrective actions with clear outcomes, responsibilities, and completion evidence
Integrate corrective actions into operational routines to ensure follow-through
Verify effectiveness using proportionate checks and credible evidence
Maintain an improvement register that is sustainable and reviewable
Learning materials
Slide deck
Participant workbook
Certificate of completion
Slide deck
Participant workbook
Certificate of completion
Templates & tools
Issue classification worksheet
Root cause analysis template (5 Whys + cause–effect)
Corrective action planning sheet
Improvement & corrective action log
Effectiveness verification checklist
Prioritisation and tracking matrix (register-focused)
Issue classification worksheet
Root cause analysis template (5 Whys + cause–effect)
Corrective action planning sheet
Improvement & corrective action log
Effectiveness verification checklist
Prioritisation and tracking matrix (register-focused)
Prerequisites
This module assumes general familiarity with management system concepts and basic organisational processes. Participants should be comfortable working with documented procedures, roles/responsibilities, and operational follow-through.
Helpful background includes:
Basic understanding of management system cycles (plan–do–check–act logic)
Familiarity with how issues are recorded and actions are assigned in day-to-day operations
This module assumes general familiarity with management system concepts and basic organisational processes. Participants should be comfortable working with documented procedures, roles/responsibilities, and operational follow-through.
Helpful background includes:
Basic understanding of management system cycles (plan–do–check–act logic)
Familiarity with how issues are recorded and actions are assigned in day-to-day operations
Strongly recommended preparatory modules
Management Review Foundations: Purpose, Inputs, Decisions, and Evidence
Learn the fundamentals of planning, conducting, and documenting management reviews using integrated inputs and decision-focused outputs
7 h
Management Review Foundations: Purpose, Inputs, Decisions, and Evidence
Learn the fundamentals of planning, conducting, and documenting management reviews using integrated inputs and decision-focused outputs
7 h
Management Review Foundations: Purpose, Inputs, Decisions, and Evidence
Learn the fundamentals of planning, conducting, and documenting management reviews using integrated inputs and decision-focused outputs
7 h
Helpful preparatory modules
The modules below prepare for an optimal learning experience – but are not strictly necessary for participants to follow.
Internal Audit Foundations: Purpose, Roles, and Using Results for Governance
Understand the purpose of internal audits, role responsibilities, independence expectations, and how audit results are used in governance and improvement
7 h
Internal Audit Foundations: Purpose, Roles, and Using Results for Governance
Understand the purpose of internal audits, role responsibilities, independence expectations, and how audit results are used in governance and improvement
7 h
Internal Audit Foundations: Purpose, Roles, and Using Results for Governance
Understand the purpose of internal audits, role responsibilities, independence expectations, and how audit results are used in governance and improvement
7 h
Performance Evaluation Foundations: Analysing and Interpreting Results for Continuous Improvement
Learn the fundamentals of analysing performance results, interpreting trends and deviations, and summarising evaluation outputs for management decisions
7 h
Performance Evaluation Foundations: Analysing and Interpreting Results for Continuous Improvement
Learn the fundamentals of analysing performance results, interpreting trends and deviations, and summarising evaluation outputs for management decisions
7 h
Performance Evaluation Foundations: Analysing and Interpreting Results for Continuous Improvement
Learn the fundamentals of analysing performance results, interpreting trends and deviations, and summarising evaluation outputs for management decisions
7 h
Continuous learning
Follow-up modules
Follow-up modules
After completion of this module, the following modules are ideal to further deepen the participant's competence.
After completion of this module, the following modules are ideal to further deepen the participant's competence.
Ready to achieve mastery?
Bring ISO requirements into everyday practice to reduce avoidable issues and strengthen the trust of your customers and stakeholders.
Ready to achieve mastery?
Bring ISO requirements into everyday practice to reduce avoidable issues and strengthen the trust of your customers and stakeholders.
Ready to achieve mastery?
Bring ISO requirements into everyday practice to reduce avoidable issues and strengthen the trust of your customers and stakeholders.