PECB ISO 9001 Foundation study plan
PECB ISO 9001 Foundation · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 7 hours per week
Fundamental principles and concepts of a quality management system
Define quality management system (QMS) in your own words and distinguish it from quality assurance and quality control
Explain the seven quality management principles and give one workplace example of each
Describe the process approach, including inputs, outputs, controls, and resources, using a process you know
Map the Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle onto a simple improvement scenario
Your checkpoint
A one-page glossary of 25 core QMS terms with your own definitions and one example each
Fundamental principles and concepts of a quality management system
Explain the purpose and benefits of a QMS for customers, employees, and the organization
Describe the role of risk-based thinking and how it differs from a formal risk management process
Outline the structure of ISO management system standards, including the harmonized structure and common text
Identify the relationship between ISO 9001 and related standards such as ISO 9000 and ISO 9004
Your checkpoint
A two-page concept summary connecting principles, process approach, PDCA, and risk-based thinking
Fundamental principles and concepts of a quality management system & ISO 9001:2026 requirements for a QMS
Describe the scope of ISO 9001 and explain which organizations can use it
List the clause structure of ISO 9001 from Clause 4 through Clause 10 and state the purpose of each clause
Explain what is meant by context of the organization, interested parties, and scope of the QMS
Identify the documented information required by the standard at a high level
Your checkpoint
A clause-by-clause outline table of Clauses 4 to 10 with purpose and key outputs
ISO 9001:2026 requirements for a QMS
Explain leadership commitment and the quality policy requirements
Describe how roles, responsibilities, and authorities are assigned within the QMS
Interpret requirements for planning, including risks and opportunities, quality objectives, and management of change
Distinguish between documented information that must be maintained and that which must be retained
Your checkpoint
A mock quality policy and a set of three measurable quality objectives with owners and review dates
ISO 9001:2026 requirements for a QMS
Outline the requirements for QMS resources, including people, infrastructure, and environment
Explain competence, awareness, and communication requirements
Describe the requirements for documented information control, including creation, updating, and retention
Interpret requirements for monitoring and measuring resources, including traceability where relevant
Your checkpoint
A resource and competence checklist mapping each Clause 7 requirement to evidence you would look for in an audit
ISO 9001:2026 requirements for a QMS
Explain operational planning and control requirements
Describe requirements for customer communication, determining requirements, and reviewing requirements
Outline design and development controls, including inputs, outputs, reviews, verification, and validation
Interpret requirements for control of externally provided processes, products, and services
Describe requirements for production and service provision, release, and nonconforming outputs
Your checkpoint
A process flow for one product or service with the Clause 8 controls annotated at each step
ISO 9001:2026 requirements for a QMS
Describe monitoring, measurement, analysis, and evaluation requirements
Explain internal audit requirements, including programme planning and auditor objectivity
Outline management review inputs and outputs
Interpret requirements for improvement, including nonconformity, corrective action, and continual improvement
Your checkpoint
A management review agenda and a corrective action record template aligned to Clause 9 and Clause 10
Fundamental principles and concepts of a quality management system & ISO 9001:2026 requirements for a QMS
Synthesize both domains into a single mental model of the standard
Answer practice questions on principles and concepts under timed conditions
Answer practice questions on clause requirements under timed conditions
Review and correct every missed question by tracing it back to the relevant clause or principle
Produce a personal weak-point list with a revision action for each item
Your checkpoint
A scored practice test result with a written correction log for every incorrect answer
Milestones
Week 2: Can explain all seven quality management principles and the process approach without notes, scoring at least 80 percent on a self-made recall quiz
Week 4: Can name the purpose of Clauses 4 to 7 and locate the documented information requirements for each without referring to the standard
Week 6: Can walk through Clause 8 operation controls end to end for a chosen process and identify at least ten applicable requirements
Week 7: Can describe the full performance evaluation and improvement cycle, including audit, management review, and corrective action, in under ten minutes
Week 8: Achieve at least 80 percent on a full timed practice test and show a completed correction log covering every missed item