Most ISO 9001 confusion comes from reading a clause without its intent. Explain each clause as: the problem it
prevents, what it requires in plain words, what it looks like in this organization, the evidence, the common
mistakes and the related clauses. scripts/clause_lookup.py returns that structure for any clause from the
guide in references/clause-guide.md.
Trigger Conditions
Activate this skill when the user:
- Asks what a clause means or requires ("explain 6.1", "what is 8.5.6 about?")
- Needs to know what evidence satisfies a requirement
- Is converting from ISO 9001:2008 thinking (management representative, preventive action, quality manual)
- Is preparing training on ISO 9001 or interpreting a requirement with an auditor
For a full assessment against all clauses use iso-9001-gap-analyzer.
Workflow
1. IDENTIFY -> clause number, keyword or old 2008 clause; ask what kind of organization it is
2. LOOK UP -> python scripts/clause_lookup.py 8.5.1 (or --search, --from-2008)
3. EXPLAIN -> intent, requirements as checkable items, example in their context
4. EVIDENCE -> what an auditor would sample, and the typical nonconformity
5. CONNECT -> related clauses and concepts (structure-and-concepts.md)How to Explain a Clause
| Part | Example for 7.1.5 (machine shop) |
|---|---|
| Intent | Measurements used to accept parts are trustworthy |
| Requires | Gauges suitable and maintained; calibrated against traceable standards at intervals; status identified; protected from adjustment; impact assessed when a gauge is found out of tolerance |
| Looks like | Calibration register of every micrometer, caliper and CMM; labels with due dates; certificates from an accredited lab |
| Evidence | Register, certificates, label on the gauge in use, out-of-tolerance investigation |
| Common NC | Operator's personal caliper not in the system; no review of parts measured with a failed gauge |
| Related | 7.1.6, 8.5.1, 8.6 |
Adapt the "looks like" row to the user's sector: a software company's 7.1.5 is test tools and monitoring, a lab's is reference materials.
Concepts Readers Trip Over
| Question | Short answer |
|---|---|
| Document or record? | "Maintain documented information" = document; "retain" = record |
| Where did preventive action go? | Risk-based thinking, 6.1 (--from-2008 8.5.3) |
| Do we need a management representative? | No; assign the responsibilities under 5.3 |
| Is a quality manual required? | No; scope (4.3) and needed process information (4.4) are |
| What can be excluded? | Only requirements that do not affect conformity: in practice 7.1.5, 8.3, 8.5.3, 8.5.5 |
| Correction vs corrective action? | Fixing the instance vs removing the cause |
| Are notes requirements? | No, but auditors use them to interpret intent |
Structure, PDCA, quality principles, key definitions and the current revision status: structure-and-concepts.md.
Output Format
When explaining a clause, give:
- Clause and title, with the edition (ISO 9001:2015 + Amd 1:2024).
- Intent in one sentence.
- Requirements as a checklist in plain words.
- In your organization - what it looks like for their sector and size.
- Evidence and common nonconformities.
- Related clauses.
Scripts
python scripts/clause_lookup.py 8.7 # one clause; 8.3.4 resolves to 8.3
python scripts/clause_lookup.py 8.5 # all 8.5.x
python scripts/clause_lookup.py --search traceability
python scripts/clause_lookup.py --from-2008 7.6
python scripts/clause_lookup.py --listReads clause-guide.md; edit that file to change the explanations. Exit codes: 0 found, 1 nothing matched, 2 no clause given.
Additional Resources
| File | Content |
|---|---|
| clause-guide.md | Every auditable clause: intent, requirements, evidence, pitfalls, related clauses |
| structure-and-concepts.md | Harmonized Structure and PDCA, seven principles, key definitions, verbal forms, related standards, revision status, how to explain a clause |
8d-problem-solving-report-writer
Write and review 8D problem-solving reports for customer complaints and serious nonconformities (automotive and aerospace practice: Ford Global 8D, VDA, GM, Stellantis formats): D0 emergency response, D1 cross-functional team and champion, D2 problem description with 5W2H and is / is-not and no cause in the statement, D3 interim containment within 24 hours with verification and clean point, D4 verified occurrence and escape (non-detection) root causes plus systemic cause, D5 permanent corrective actions for each cause verified before implementation, D6 implementation, validation with production data and removal of containment, D7 PFMEA, control plan and read-across to similar products, D8 closure and recognition. Checks an 8D discipline by discipline for missing content, human-error root causes, missing escape cause or action, late containment and dates out of order.
acceptance-sampling-plan-selector
Select and evaluate acceptance sampling plans for incoming, in-process and final inspection: ANSI/ASQ Z1.4 / ISO 2859-1 single sampling under normal inspection (code letter from lot size and inspection level I, II, III, S-1 to S-4; sample size, Ac and Re from AQL, following the table's arrows to the correct plan; 100% when n reaches the lot size; AQLs above 10 per 100 units), operating characteristic curves (Pa at any quality, producer's quality level, indifference point, LTPD, AOQ and AOQL, binomial or hypergeometric), plans designed from producer and consumer risk, and c = 0 zero-acceptance plans. Covers AQL choice by defect class, switching rules between normal, tightened and reduced inspection, when sampling is not appropriate, and random sampling.
approved-supplier-list-manager
Manage and audit an approved supplier list (ASL) / external provider register for ISO 9001 8.4.1, IATF 16949 8.4 and AS9100 8.4.1: supplier status (approved, conditional, probation, pending, disqualified), scope of approval by commodity and process, risk class, certification and expiry, re-evaluation intervals by risk, conditions with end dates, single-source contingency, approver and customer-directed sources. Audits the list for expired or expiring certificates, overdue re-evaluations, conditional or probation status past its decision date, high-risk suppliers without the required certification, single-source suppliers without backup and missing approvers, and checks purchase orders for suppliers that are off-list, disqualified or pending, or buying outside the approved scope. Covers ERP blocks, PO requirements, off-list and emergency purchases.
apqp-phase-planner
Plan and track Advanced Product Quality Planning (AIAG APQP 3rd edition, IATF 16949) for a new or changed automotive part: back-schedule the five phases (plan and define, product design, process design, product and process validation, launch and feedback) from the start-of-production date by program complexity, with overlap, PPAP lead and safe-launch period; list the deliverables and gate for each phase (DFMEA, DVP&R, feasibility, process flow, PFMEA, control plans, MSA, Ppk, run at rate, PPAP, safe launch, lessons learned); adjust for build-to-print suppliers; flag compressed timelines and late or untracked deliverables against a status list. Covers gate reviews, red/yellow/green status reporting, run at rate and safe-launch exit criteria.
as9100-gap-analyzer
Run an AS9100D / EN 9100:2018 gap analysis for aviation, space and defence suppliers on the requirements added to ISO 9001: on-time delivery and conformity focus, management representative, ethics and human-factors awareness, operational planning and operational risk management, configuration management, product safety, counterfeit-part prevention, special requirements, critical items and key characteristics, external provider register and flow-down, FOD prevention, tooling and NC program control, special process validation, first article inspection (AS9102), traceability, in-service data and nonconforming product control. Generates and scores a worksheet, grades missing core controls as major, and checks invalid n/a claims. Covers AS9101/AS9104, OASIS, AS9102 FAI forms, counterfeit standards (AS5553, AS6174, AS6081), NADCAP and the planned IA9100 transition.
audit-report-writer
Write internal, supplier and pre-certification audit reports with the content ISO 19011:2018 6.5 expects: audit objectives, scope, criteria with revisions, dates, team and auditees, method and sampling statement, specific strengths, findings table and three-part finding details (requirement, evidence, statement), conclusion on the degree of fulfilment of criteria, diverging opinions, follow-up deadlines and distribution. Builds a Markdown report from a JSON audit record, generates the conclusion from the findings (major / minor / none) and flags reports missing required content or findings without clause or evidence. Covers conclusion wording, closing meetings, response expectations and verifying corrective actions.