Denise Robitaille

Consultant, trainer, and author

Author of more than a dozen books on a variety of quality topics, Denise Robitaille has participated internationally in standards development for more than 20 years, serving in several leadership roles, including her current position as chair of TC176/SC1. That committee is responsible for the development of ISO 9000, the guiding document on quality fundamentals and terminology that is the foundation for ISO 9001.

Robitaille also chairs PC302, the committee responsible for revising the ISO 19011 standard on auditing quality management systems. She has facilitated the implementation of ISO 9001 for multiple organizations for more than 25 years, is a Fellow of the American Society for Quality, and a certified lead assessor.

Thu, 03/28/2024 - 12:03
What’s in a Number? Actually, quite a bit
Tue, 07/11/2006 - 22:00
I have long maintained that renumbering procedures from the defunct ISO 9001:1994 standard to reflect the numerical scheme of ISO 9001:2000 is an exercise of questionable value. After all, aren’t they just numbers? What difference can it…
For Want of a Nail Your company could be lost
Tue, 06/13/2006 - 22:00
"For want of nail a shoe was lost
For want of a shoe a horse was lost
For want of horse a rider was lost
For want of a rider a battle was lost
For loss of a battle a kingdom was lost
And all because of a…
Helping Your Suppliers Help You If you don’t, who will?
Tue, 05/09/2006 - 22:00
A few months ago, I wrote about the importance of understanding your customers’ requirements. We looked at requirements that exceed the traditional scope of product specifications such as labeling, packaging and documentation.This month, we…
Push Back Remember, your auditor works for you
Tue, 04/11/2006 - 22:00
As an auditor, I have a hard time maintaining my composure when individuals tell me they’re unhappy with their registrar and yet have taken no action to address the matter. If clients are dissatisfied with the conduct of an auditor or…
Tackling the Tough Problems Corrective action that corrects
Tue, 03/07/2006 - 22:00
It’s the week after the huge annual trade show—the opportunity for you and the rest of your industry to showcase your companies and to rollout your latest, greatest blow-the-competition-out-of-the-water product offerings. Unfortunately,…
Benefitting from Supplier Corrective Actions If they fix it, will you know the difference?
Tue, 02/07/2006 - 22:00
Part of the problem with corrective actions has long been the proliferation of requests for things that just don’t meet the criteria. Significant progress toward selecting the problems that warrant corrective action has been made in recent years.…
The ISO 9001 Environment Clause In fulfilling your customers’ requirements, consider the work environment
Tue, 01/10/2006 - 22:00
Some ISO 9001 requirements simply don’t get as much attention as others. One such example is found in clause 6.4, which relates to work environments. It states: “The organization shall determine and manage the work environment needed to…
Tempus Fugit Effective time management will positively influence the success of your organization.
Tue, 12/13/2005 - 22:00
Time is arguably one of the most precious and least quantified resources that organizations possess. It’s a uniquely intangible, yet indispensable, feature of any process or activity. Things occur over a span of time. It’s an indisputable…
Realizing Value From Audit Findings Approach audit findings with a good attitude and you’ll improve the bottom line.
Tue, 11/08/2005 - 22:00
It’s been my experience as an auditor and as a consultant that the overwhelming majority of corrective actions originate from customer returns. The good news is that the corrective action request (CAR) process is being utilized to address the cause…
The Standard Answer: Ship Shape Fulfilling customer requirements includes more than just quality product at the right time.
Tue, 10/11/2005 - 22:00
How is it possible to ship customers the right product, on time, and still fail to fulfill their requirements? Most organizations do a pretty good job of determining what product the customer wants. Based on what I’ve observed during surveillance…