An implementation project will typically take about 12 months, but ranges from 6-18 months. You will need three to six months of records to show your registrar. Plan your registration audit no less than three months after your "live" date.

Factors that affect the timeline include:

• Size and complexity of the organization
• How much existing documentation is available
• Amount of resources available for the project
• Amount of ISO expertise available

Starting with a gap analysis performed internally or externally will help give you a handle on the correct timeline for your implementation.

Plan on developing a timeline for your project. A typical timeline may look like this:

Who Should Be Involved?