Ashghal Engineering Business Department wins ISO 9001:2015 certification

The Public Works Authority’s Engineering Business Department has attained ISO 9001:2015 certification for Engineering Support Services for Ashghal projects by “AFNOR GROUPE”, an ISO body member concerned with certification and standardization, with the assistance of the consultant “Apave”. 

The Engineering Business Department was granted the ISO certificate thanks to its establishment of an electronic system that will contribute to standardizing processes, improving performances, integrating the teamwork concept, motivating and committing staff to quality and improving internal and external communication.

A ceremony was held in Ashghal head office in the presence of Ashghal President HE Dr Eng. Saad bin Ahmad Al Mohannadi, and Ashghal Assistant President Abdullah Hamad Al Attiya, Technical Support Affairs’ Director Mohammed Ali Darweesh and Engineering Business Department Manager Abd Al Samad Al Makki along with a number of Ashghal staff and engineers. The certificate was handed over to Technical Support Affairs’ Director Eng. Mohammed Ali Darweesh and Engineering Business Department Manager Eng. Abd Al Samad Al Makki. Meanwhile, HE Ashghal’s President honoured the program team with appreciation certificates thanks to their efforts that yielded winning the international prize.

The ISO certificate is given to the body complying with certain requirements, involving organizations context, leadership, planning, support, operation, performance and improvement. On this occasion, Technical Support Affairs’ Director Eng. Mohammed Ali Darweesh says that the project is the basis for an integrated quality system and goes with the goals set by Ashghal and Engineering Business Department alike. On the importance of the project, Darwish says, “The system is fruitful for all stakeholders in and outside Ashghal since it will streamline the whole processes in the department.”

For his part, Engineering Business Department Manager Eng. Abd Al Samad Al Makki points out that the idea of the project started some years ago as the department was keen on using an electronic system to follow up work status and another to measure department job performance. “Also, a “users’ manual” to give details on the department services whether to the employees in the department and stakeholders in and outside Ashghal was established. And, the new system is crowned with ISO 9001:2015 certification to guarantee efficiency, transparency and quality”, he adds.

The Engineering Business Department provides various engineering services in support of Ashghal projects, from the beginning to the end. The department prepares and follows up the general budget plan and reviews engineering payments and timing and financial requirements. Also, the department serves as a central archiving database with information and layouts of the current and past projects as well as a kind of technical support of planning and follow-up. In collaboration with Central Geographical Information System Department, affiliated to the Ministry of Municipality and Environment, the Engineering Business Department updates the engineering designs to be regarded as a focal point between the projects carried out by Ashghal and other government entities. Ultimately, the department double checks the survey data of the projects to ensure accuracy and timeliness.

Noteworthy, AFNOR is an international certification ISO body member concerned with institutions’ certification, standardization, training and publishing.