IATF 16949 Requirements
for Top Management -
How to Ensure an Effective QMS
Are you a representative of the Top Management in the automotive industry?
So you need to know what your responsibilities are in the QMS.
This training on the IATF 16949 standard, with a focus on its application to leadership roles in the automotive industry. Participants will learn how to align leadership strategies with IATF requirements, ensuring compliance and promoting a culture of continuous improvement. The course introduces leaders to the requirements they take responsibility for in order to ensure an effective QMS.
For more information on the role of leadership in implementing IATF 16949 requirements, please see the article.
Training Program Highlights
Module 1. The role of top management in IATF 16949
• Leadership, accountability and responsibility.
• The customer as a reference point for decisions.
• Quality as part of business management.
Module 2. Organisational context and quality strategy
• Interested parties and customer-specific requirements.
• Risks and opportunities for the QMS and the business.
• Linking strategy with quality objectives.
Module 3. Quality policy, objectives and KPIs
• Measurable objectives linked to processes.
• Trend analysis, escalation and response.
• Asking the right questions about performance.
Module 4. Resources, competence and quality culture
• Providing adequate resources for quality.
• Competence, awareness and accountability.
• Leadership behaviours that strengthen quality.
Module 5. Risk and change management
• Quality, operational and customer-related risks.
• Decision-making for process changes.
• Supporting teams during escalation.
Module 6. Management review as a decision-making tool
• Required management review inputs and outputs.
• Evaluating the effectiveness of the QMS.
• Actions, responsibilities and verification of results.
Module 7. Customer performance, complaints and continual improvement
• Voice of the customer, delivery performance and complaints.
• Removing barriers to corrective action.
• Using lessons learned to prevent recurrence.
Module 8. The IATF audit from top management’s perspective
• Typical auditor questions.
• Evidence of leadership and QMS effectiveness.
• Preparing for discussions during the audit.
NOTE: The training is adjusted to the new ISO 9001:2026 requirements!
Training objectives
• Understand top management responsibilities under IATF 16949.
• Link strategy, customer requirements and quality objectives.
• Evaluate QMS performance using meaningful indicators.
• Lead management reviews and improvement decisions effectively.
• Demonstrate visible leadership, accountability and customer focus aligned with NEW ISO 9001:2026.
Target Audience
• Top management and executive teams.
• Plant, operations and functional directors.
• Quality, production and supply-chain leaders.
• Process owners and QMS representatives.
• Leaders preparing for customer or certification audits.
Participant Benefits
• Clear understanding of top management responsibilities under IATF 16949.
• Greater confidence in leading management reviews and quality decisions.
• Practical questions for evaluating QMS effectiveness and performance.
• Better preparation for discussions with IATF 16949 auditors.
• A broader view of quality as a driver of customer and business results.
Organizational Benefits
• Stronger alignment between strategic and operational decisions.
• More effective response to risks, performance issues and customer concerns.
• Visible leadership commitment to quality and continual improvement.
• Better readiness for IATF 16949 and customer audits.
• A culture of accountability that supports stable, reliable processes.
Qualification confirmation
E-certificate
Training duration
1 day (7 hours)
Training price
In order to get an offer please send a request to: contact@qualitywise.pl.
Documents
Terms and conditions you will find here.
Contact
For additional questions, other training dates or a dedicated training offer for your company, please contact Qualitywise®!
Frequently Asked Questions
No. It is designed for everyone making decisions that affect the effectiveness of the quality management system: board members, directors, plant managers, quality directors and process owners.
No. The training explains the requirements from top management’s perspective and shows how to translate them into everyday business and operational decisions.
Participants will cover, among others, requirements related to leadership, quality policy and objectives, resources, risks, management review, customer performance and continual improvement.
Yes. We discuss typical auditor questions, examples of evidence of management commitment and how to prepare for discussions during the audit.
Yes. Participants will learn which data should be analysed, which decisions should result from the review and how to verify the effectiveness of actions taken.
