Overview
ISO/IEC TS 33053:2019 defines a Process Reference Model (PRM) for the domain of quality management. The technical specification provides a structured process architecture and a catalogue of processes described in terms of process purpose and observable outcomes. The PRM is designed to support process assessment activities (e.g., measurement of process performance and capability) and provides traceability to ISO 9001 requirements. Users are permitted to reproduce the process descriptions for use in assessment tools and materials.
Key topics and requirements
- Process architecture: Processes are organized into three groups - common, technical, and organizational - to reflect different roles in a quality management system.
- Process descriptions: Each process entry includes a Process ID, name, purpose, and measurable outcomes. Outcomes are observable results that map back to ISO 9001 requirements.
- Representative processes (examples from the PRM):
- COM.01 Communication management - defining information content, stakeholders, channels, and timing.
- COM.02 Documentation management - identification, status, release and availability of documented information.
- COM.05 Internal audit, COM.06 Management review, COM.07 Non-conformity management - governance and corrective mechanisms.
- TEC.xx processes for product/service design, verification, validation, configuration and change control.
- ORG.xx processes for asset, supplier, and measurement resource management.
- TOP.01 Leadership - leadership responsibilities relevant to quality.
- Traceability to ISO 9001: Outcomes are explicitly linked to ISO 9001 subclauses to enable assessment alignment.
- Scope and limitations: The PRM is intended as a reference for assessment modelling and tool support. It is not a prescriptive implementation guide nor a substitute for a conformity audit.
Practical applications and users
- Process assessors and auditors: Use the PRM as a baseline for building assessment models and checklists that map to ISO 9001 outcomes.
- Quality managers and process owners: Leverage process purposes and outcomes to clarify responsibilities, expected results, and evidence for improvement.
- Tool vendors and consultants: Integrate the freely reproducible process descriptions into assessment software, templates, and training materials.
- Organizational improvement teams: Use the model to design or refine processes, ensure coverage of quality requirements, and drive capability measurement.
Related standards
- ISO 9001 (quality management system requirements)
- ISO/IEC 33001, 33002, 33004, 33020 (process assessment concepts, conduct, PRM/maturity models, measurement scales)
- ISO/IEC TS 33073 (process assessment model development)
Keywords: ISO/IEC TS 33053:2019, Process Reference Model, PRM, quality management, process assessment, ISO 9001, process architecture, outcomes, documentation management, communication management.