What is an Integrated Management System (IMS)?
An integrated management system is an operational handbook for staff which covers those key elements of service operation and delivery which need to be written down to assist with effective training and clarification of methods of work. The core aim of an IMS is to create and operate ONE staff handbook within the facility in question. This co-ordinated approach to procedural controls is fundamental to effective and efficient management.
ISRM’s Integrated Management System (IMS) will assist you in developing just such a robust and relevant operational handbook for your organisation.
The three “golden rules” on documenting operating procedures
- Only commit to paper information which you believe you need to deliver a quality service safely.
- Document information where guided by industry guidance or legislative requirements.
- Only write it down once – avoid duplication.
About the ISRM Integrated Management System 2nd edition
The IMS provides both a framework for the development of an integrated management system and a reference document with many good practice suggestions, gleaned from the development of quality systems in sport and recreation centres over many years.
The first edition of the IMS has been successfully used by centres throughout the United Kingdom and is now established as the definitive collection of sport and recreation sample normal operating procedures. The first edition was published in 1997 and, whilst the principles of sound centre operation remain constant, there have been many changes to consider. Since the first edition was made available, the sport and recreation industry has gone through a period of profound change in areas such as criminal records checks and environmental policies, as well as the inevitable incremental changes in good practice and legislative requirements.
When successfully implemented, this timely update to a key industry handbook will help ensure that your sport and recreation facilities are effectively managed.
Benefits of an IMS
Specific benefits of implementing the IMS in your facility are:
- Site specific, up-to-date documentation provides the basis for consistent and comprehensive staff training.
- Contributes to due diligence in meeting legal and best practice requirements.
- No system can guarantee high standards of quality and health and safety, but an effective IMS is the basis for clarity and consistency and provides a foundation for a culture of continuous improvement. As improvements are made they can easily be built into the IMS to ensure they happen on a day to day basis.
- All credible industry standards require sound underpinning systems and this handbook provides a framework with many (but not all) of the requirements addressed. The handbook therefore provides an excellent base from which to pursue any chosen award or standard.
- Effective use of the IMS will provide a comprehensive ‘spring clean’ of existing systems of work and identify opportunities for improvement, often co-ordinating separate and conflicting systems into one document.
- An IMS assists in making the best use of available resources and optimising employee involvement in facility operation.
- An effective IMS promotes teamwork and mutual understanding between staff and assists with the process of team leadership.
What you need to use the IMS
You must have access to a copy of Microsoft Word 97 (or later) and Excel 97 (or later) to use the IMS 2nd edition.
What you will receive when purchasing the ISRM IMS
You will receive a CD-ROM containing multiple documents in Microsoft Word/Excel format. Also included are 4 ring binders with dividers, index, and ‘how to use’ information. Using these, easily identifiable sets of your site-specific IMS handbooks can be positioned across your centre(s) as appropriate. Additional binders are available for purchase as required from ISRM.
Download a sample operating procedure (Microsoft Word document)
Download a sample form (Microsoft Word document)
PLEASE NOTE The IMS 2nd edition CD-ROM is a non-returnable product. ISRM will be unable to accept returns if the seal on the CD-ROM has been broken, unless the CD-ROM is faulty.
The IMS and health and safety
Together the IMS 2nd edition and Best Practice Health and Safety Operating Procedures form a complete suite of procedural documents for facility management.
With the ever increasing attention given to health and safety issues in today’s litigation culture, the challenges of managing health and safety are now beyond the scope of an overall systems management product such as the IMS. Therefore, the section on health and safety has been removed from the 2nd edition.
For definitive help on managing health and safety in sport and recreation, ISRM’s highly successful publication “Best Practice Health and Safety Operating Procedures” is also available for purchase.
For more information on ISRM’s “Best Practice Health and Safety Operating Procedures Document”, call ISRM on 01509 226474 or visit www.isrm.co.uk