Collaborative business relationship management systems can deliver a wide range of benefits to enhance competitiveness and performance.

ISO 44001 started life as PAS 11000 Collaborative business relationships. The PAS was published in November 2006. It became a British Standard, BS 11000, in 2010 and now, it has evolved into an international standard to help organizations, large and small in both public and private sectors, to build and develop effective competitive business relationships based upon a collaborative approach.

The standard is applicable to private and public organizations of all sizes, from large multinational corporations and government organizations, to non-profit organizations and micro/small businesses. It can be used to manage relationships on several different levels whether your needs focus on a single application between operating divisions or more complex relationships like consortia and joint ventures.

ISO 44001 involves a structured approach to sharing resources, experience and skills supported by a method for creating, delivering and exiting relationships. This standard is split into the following core elements:

• Assessing your company – Understanding the readiness at a cultural and structural level to be able to operate a collaborative relationship approach. This is detailed and relationship specific, considering the practical elements the company should address before entering into relationship.
• Relationship assessment and selection – The process by which the company considers who it should have a relationship with.
• Managing relationships – Consistently monitoring and improving the relationships with all parties. Achieved through the joint development and use of techniques such as service level agreements (SLAs), key performance indicators.
• Existing relationships – Having clear steps as to how the relationship will end. Ensuring continuity for your business and planning to ensure communication and execution of a relationship exit does not undermine key deliverables.

These core elements are brought together in the relationship management plan (RMP). This document is the focal point for delivering.

ISO 44001 consists of two parts. Part 1 outlines the collaborative working framework with Part 2 providing a practical guide to implementation.

ISO 22301 helps organizations plan for and recover from business disruptions. By establishing procedures and controls through ISO 22301 implementation and certification, companies can mitigate time and money lost in the event of an operational delay.
Certification to ISO 22301reassures stakeholders, investors, clients and employees of your company’s preparedness. By certifying to ISO 22301, which includes personnel training, internal audits and management reviews, your company can demonstrate resilience to both internal and external parties.