The management by objective (MBO) mindset was very popular in the years leading up to the release of ISO 9001, a mindset W. Edwards Deming lived to rebuke personally (see Out of the Crisis, p. 75-76). While MBO is not a nonconformity per ISO 9001, it is not required by ISO 9001 and auditors should not expect MBO-type objectives in order for organizations to demonstrate measurable objectives or improvement. Continue reading →