Document what matters—then actually use it. Fact:ISO 9001 does not require excessive paperwork. The standard focuses on effective processes, risk-based thinking, and consistent results, not binders full of procedures that no one reads. Organizations that keep documentation lean and practical are statistically more successful at sustaining certification and improving performance. Why this matters: - Clause 7.5 (Documented Information) only requires documentation necessary for effectiveness. - Clause 8 (Operation) emphasizes doing the work consistently, not just describing it. - Auditors commonly find nonconformities when documented procedures don’t match real-world practice. Practical example:If your process says “calibration is checked monthly,” but the actual practice is quarterly—even if quarterly is reasonable—you’ve created a nonconformance. Fix the document or the process so they match.