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ISO 21001 vs IWA 2



ISO 21001:2018
ISO 21001:2018

The transition from IWA 2 (International Workshop Agreement 2) to ISO 21001:2018 represents a major advancement in quality management for educational institutions. While both frameworks aim to enhance educational services, ISO 21001:2018 establishes a globally recognized, structured standard with strengthened requirements for stakeholder involvement, learner satisfaction, and ongoing improvement.


Key Enhancements of ISO 21001:2018 Over IWA 2:


🔹 Integration with ISO 9001 – Unlike IWA 2, which served as a guidance document, ISO 21001 is a certifiable standard aligned with ISO 9001 principles, ensuring a systematic approach to quality management.


🔹 Enhanced Learner-Centered Approach – ISO 21001 places greater focus on addressing diverse learner needs, including individuals requiring special education support. It promotes inclusivity and accessibility, aspects not explicitly emphasized in IWA 2.


🔹 Broader Stakeholder Engagement – The standard requires educational institutions to actively involve students, parents, regulators, and employers, fostering a more comprehensive and collaborative approach to education quality.


🔹 Stronger Culture of Continuous Improvement – ISO 21001 encourages data-driven decisions, risk-based strategies, and process optimization, elements that were less explicitly defined in IWA 2.


🔹 Wider Applicability Across Education Sectors – Unlike IWA 2, which mainly focused on higher education, ISO 21001 is designed for all types of educational organizations, from early childhood institutions to corporate training programs.

By implementing ISO 21001, educational providers shift from general recommendations to a structured, measurable, and internationally recognized quality framework, paving the way for educational excellence.  



Kereen R. McPherson

 

CEO/Founder

KRMcPherson Quality Management (KQM)

 

 

1-868-761-8206


 
 
 

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