The unique characteristics of each SME will affect the implementation process and the
constituent elements of each step in different ways. After determining its initial state, the
organization must formulate the unique implementation approach that will take it to the ideal state
depicted in Figure 3. Building on that premise, Figure 4 shows the different ways that a SME can
move from its initial state to the desired state of a 100% “Formally Alive” ISO 9001 QMS. Each of
the transitions in Figure 4 is discussed below