oh the joy!

Much mystique obscures the original intent of
ISO 9000. It was developed to model a quality
system to assure customers of a supplier’s ability
to supply quality products and services: internally,
a tool for measurement and improvement;
externally a means for communication and
contract between customer and supplier.
Unfortunately, the massive effort required for
registration, the test at the end, and publicity
about ISO 9000 as a requirement for competing in
certain markets, often looms so large that
organizations lose sight of the link between
ISO 9000 and total quality. When that happens,
the effort for registration becomes simply a
bureaucratic exercise, a paper chase. Minimum
effort is expended; the letter of the standard is
followed, not its spirit. As a result, few quality
improvements are obtained and the true purpose
of the standard and its benefits lost.
There are however powerful synergies between
a good quality process and the work required for
ISO 9000...