A quality management system (QMS) is a set of policies, processes and procedures required for planning and execution (production/development/service) in the core business area of an organization. (i.e. areas that can impact the organization’s ability to meet customer requirements.) ISO 9001:2008 is an example of a Quality Management System.
Some people generically refer to the group of documents as a QMS, but specifically it refers to the entire system – the documents just describe it. A QMS is nothing more than good business sense.
A QMS integrates the various internal processes within the organization and intends to provide a process approach for project execution. A Process Based QMS enables the organizations to identify, measure, control and improve the various core business processes that will ultimately lead to improved business performance.
A complete ISO 9001 Quality Management System must address all the requirements of ISO 9001,
and more specifically must meet the ISO 9001 Documentation Requirements.