Certification

In certification, an accredited or authorized person or agency evaluates the properties, characteristics, quality, qualification or status of a product, process, person or organization and issues a certificate by way of a written statement that they meet the established requirements or standards.

Usually certification involves an external review, assessment or audit, where it becomes clear where improvement is possible. Not just now, but in a continuous and systematic process. This also ensures that one can identify risks (errors, delays, unnecessary costs) and take action.

The most common reason for applying for certification is to convince (future) customers of the continuous and systematic attention to delivering quality. However, there are also more and more companies that want certification for their own sake, because it allows them to identify shortcomings and blind spots in the organization.