Standardization as a Tool

The first idea that comes to mind when we talk about the reason we must set standards can be the same reason as to why soldiers must walk-in-step, commonly referred to as march. Armed services render the often seen ceremonial marches to depict the age-old history of how men under arms function as one organized unit that’s geared towards defined objectives through defined routes. In the olden days, when soldiers carry bulky equipment and move fighting men in mass, it is mandatory that they walk-in-step or they will stumble upon each other. The need to march spawns secondary requirements that must be defined, such as the tempo or speed of march, ideal time for the march, individual’s load for the march, and so many other mission essentials. The cursory cited reasons for the soldiers’ march turn into imperatives for standards even in business environment.

The fundamental requisite for standard is the universality of application and acceptance based on defined parameters. These parameters must improve and stabilize through consistence the organizational systems as well as assure the external environment of the quality of its outputs based on the adopted systemic standards.

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is the leading body that provides for most standards, except for electrical and electronic engineering, telecommunication standards, and information technology. The International Electro Technical Commission (IEC) provides the electrical and electronic engineering standards, the International Telegraph Union (ITU) provides the telecommunications standards, while the information technology is through Joint Technical Committee 1 (between the ISO and IEC).

The ISO is not an acronym for the International Organization for Standardization but rather culled from the Greek word “isos” meaning equal. This is in relation to the measure that if two objects meet the same standard, then they should be equal. The organization adopted it to ensure that translation in different languages of its name will not affect its acronym or meaning. The organizational name per se manifests defined standard. Representatives from different countries and standardization organizations compose the ISO through different committees. It has established procedures to ensure the integrity and accuracy of its stipulations.

The utilization of ISO Standards assures the business entity of cost reduction through increased production by minimizing wastes and errors. Corollary, the ISO Standards affirm that the products and services are safe, reliable, and of good quality; thereby advancing the business opportunities of the user through universal acceptability.  

The utilization of standards systematize responses to the business’ “mission imperatives.”

Relatively, logistics management is one of the more interesting and challenging undertakings in the country’s current business environ. The Corporate notes the much-discussed lack of infrastructures, weak communication systems, current cost of moving materials, limited if not nil alternative means to move material and information, and other interlinked factors that may impede cost effectiveness and operational efficiency.

The applications of standards in logistics management may address the cursorily identified challenges. The Corporate will be on the watch to share logistics management practices that surmount the challenges in the country’s business environ.