A quality manual is optional under ISO 9001:2015, but the scope it contains is mandatory and the
process map is what auditors ask for first. A good manual is short (8-15 pages), true to how the company
works, and points to the procedures and registers that hold the detail. scripts/manual_scaffold.py drafts
one from a company profile; scripts/manual_check.py reviews an existing manual.
Trigger Conditions
Activate this skill when the user:
- Needs a quality manual for a new ISO 9001 system
- Has a 2008-era manual (management representative, preventive action, six procedures) to modernise
- Received an audit finding about scope, exclusions or process interaction
- Asks "do we need a quality manual?", "what goes in a quality manual?", "can we exclude design?"
Policy wording: quality-policy-objectives-drafter; procedures the manual points to: qms-procedure-writer.
Workflow
1. COLLECT -> company, sites, products/services, design authority, outsourced processes, policy, process list
2. SCOPE -> decide requirements not applicable and write the justification (scope-and-exclusions.md)
3. PROFILE -> write profile.json (format in manual_scaffold.py --help)
4. DRAFT -> python scripts/manual_scaffold.py profile.json > quality-manual.md
5. COMPLETE -> replace every TODO with the company's register / procedure references
6. REVIEW -> python scripts/manual_check.py quality-manual.md (aim for no findings)
7. APPROVE -> top management signs; the manual enters document controlWhat the Manual Must Get Right
| Element | Requirement | Typical failure |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Products/services, sites, activities (4.3) | "Manufacturing" with no product type; a site missing |
| Not applicable | Only if conformity is unaffected, with justification | Excluding 8.3 while choosing materials or tolerances; excluding 7.3 (now Awareness) |
| Process interaction | Sequence, owners, inputs, outputs, KPIs (4.4) | An org chart presented as a process map |
| Policy | Text or reference to controlled copy (5.2) | Missing commitments (see policy drafter) |
| Outsourced processes | Listed with how they are controlled (8.4) | Heat treat or plating not shown |
| Modern terms | Documented information, risk-based thinking | Management representative, preventive action procedure |
Section-by-section structure, writing rules and the 2008 -> 2015 conversion table: manual-structure.md. Valid and invalid exclusions with example justifications: scope-and-exclusions.md.
Review Codes (manual_check.py)
| Code | Severity | Finding |
|---|---|---|
| QM001 | high | No scope naming products/services |
| QM002 | high | Exclusion of a clause that always applies, or without justification |
| QM003 | high | No quality policy or reference to it |
| QM004 | medium | Processes and interaction not described |
| QM005 | medium | No revision / approval block |
| QM006 | medium | ISO 9001:2008 leftovers |
| QM007 | low | Copies "the organization shall" instead of describing practice |
| QM008 | low | Placeholders left (TODO, [Company], XXX) |
| QM009 | low | Climate-change relevance not addressed (Amd 1:2024) |
QM002 [high] clause 7.3 declared not applicable; it cannot be excluded (7.3 was design in ISO 9001:2008; design is 8.3 now)
QM006 [medium] 'management representative' was removed in 2015; assign the responsibilities in 5.3Output Format
When writing or reviewing a manual, deliver:
- The manual (Markdown) with scope, exclusions, process table, policy, section pointers and cross-reference.
- Open items - every TODO the company must fill, grouped by owner.
- Review result -
manual_check.pyfindings and how each was resolved. - Exclusion rationale - why each not-applicable requirement is valid, and what would invalidate it.
Scripts
python scripts/manual_scaffold.py profile.json > quality-manual.md
cat profile.json | python scripts/manual_scaffold.py -Profile keys: company, sites, products, exclusions (clause + justification), policy, processes (name, type core/support/management, owner, inputs, outputs, kpi, documents, clauses), approved_by, revision. Exit codes: 0 written, 1 invalid exclusion (clause that cannot be excluded or justification under 5 words), 2 read/JSON error.
python scripts/manual_check.py quality-manual.md
python scripts/manual_check.py manual.txt --jsonExit codes: 0 no high findings, 1 high findings, 2 read error.
Additional Resources
| File | Content |
|---|---|
| manual-structure.md | Recommended sections, writing rules, 2008 -> 2015 conversions, process interaction |
| scope-and-exclusions.md | Strong scope statements, which requirements may be not applicable and when, justification wording |
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.