Group Activity: Applying the Turtle Diagram to Evaluate Process Effectiveness in IMS Management System #
Objective: #
To guide participants in using the Turtle Diagram to evaluate the effectiveness of an Integrated Management System (IMS) process that incorporates Quality, Environmental, and Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) requirements.
Scenario: #
You are part of an internal audit team conducting an IMS audit at a manufacturing plant certified to ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001. One of the core processes selected for evaluation is “Maintenance Process”, which is critical to ensuring equipment reliability, energy efficiency, environmental compliance, and a safe working environment.
Simulation Scenario for Group Activity: IMS Process Evaluation Using Turtle Diagram #
Title: “Conflicting Priorities During Machine Breakdown: A Maintenance Process Evaluation” #
Background Story: #
Machine A in the production line breaks down unexpectedly.
- 🧑🔧 Maintenance team is assessing the repair needed.
- 📅 Production Planner urgently requests the machine to keep running due to a time-sensitive shipment.
- 🧪 Quality Assurance (QA) expresses concern that running the machine in its current state might lead to minor product non-conformities (e.g., slight deviation from specification).
- 👨🏭 Production Manager agrees the machine can still run with close monitoring, but admits the vibration and noise are abnormal. Quality consistency is not guaranteed.
- 📈 Sales Team emphasizes that the customer critically needs the shipment; otherwise, their production will halt.
- 🧯 Safety Team warns about the potential risks due to vibration, noise, and possible machine failure.
Group Task: #
You are the internal auditor tasked with evaluating this maintenance decision-making process using the Turtle Diagram, aligning with requirements from ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001.
Instructions: #
Using the Turtle Diagram approach, work in groups to evaluate the “Maintenance Process” from the perspective of all three ISO standards (QMS, EMS, OHSMS). Complete the diagram using the guiding questions below.
🐢 TURTLE DIAGRAM TEMPLATE FOR MAINTENANCE PROCESS (IMS) #
| Section | Guiding Questions |
|---|---|
| Inputs (What is needed?) | – Maintenance requests, schedules, and job orders – Equipment history records – Legal & regulatory requirements (e.g., OSHA, DOE) – Spare parts and materials – Customer feedback (for ISO 9001) |
| Outputs (What is delivered?) | – Functioning and safe equipment – Compliance reports – Preventive maintenance records – Reduced downtime and environmental incidents |
| With Whom? (Who is involved?) | – Maintenance technicians – Safety & health personnel – Environmental compliance officer – Quality control personnel – Contractors (if outsourced) |
| How? (Methods & Procedures) | – Preventive & corrective maintenance SOPs – Lockout/tagout procedures – Environmental spill prevention protocols – Calibration and inspection programs |
| With What? (Resources, Tools, Equipment) | – Maintenance tools, spare parts – PPE, MSDS – Monitoring devices (e.g., noise meters, leak detectors) – Maintenance software or logs |
| Measures (KPIs / Performance Monitoring) | – Equipment downtime rates (ISO 9001) – Environmental incidents/leaks (ISO 14001) – Near-miss or injury rates (ISO 45001) – Timeliness of maintenance completion – Audit findings & corrective actions |
Discussion Points for Group Presentation: #
- How does this process contribute to the overall IMS objectives?
- Which clauses of ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001 are most relevant to this process?
- Identify any risks and opportunities related to this process under the IMS context.
- Suggest improvements or integration opportunities between quality, environmental, and OH&S perspectives.
Expected Outcome: #
Each group will present a completed Turtle Diagram and explain how the maintenance process supports compliance with the three standards while achieving integrated objectives such as:
- Product/service quality
- Environmental protection
- Worker health & safety