Compliance · Quality System
A quality system built in from day one.
LINE CONSULTANTS operates a quality management system based on ISO 9001:2015. It covers how we confirm requirements, check every deliverable, control documents, manage associates and providers, protect information and improve, and it is designed to scale with the firm.
QMS implemented October 2026 · first internal audit planned December 2026 · ISO 9001 certification planned
Quality policy
Engineering our clients can build on
We commit to:
- understand and confirm each client's requirements, design basis and applicable codes before we start;
- independently check every calculation, drawing and report before it is issued;
- deliver on the dates we agree, and tell clients early when inputs or changes affect them;
- engage only competent people and associates, and verify their work;
- protect client information;
- meet applicable statutory, regulatory and contractual requirements; and
- continually improve our services and our quality management system.
Ritwick Bhattacharya, Proprietor and Quality Lead
Quality objectives
What we measure
| Deliverables issued on the agreed date | ≥ 95% |
| Deliverables independently checked before issue | 100% |
| Repeat errors in issued deliverables | Zero |
| Client satisfaction (feedback score) | ≥ 4 / 5 |
Tracked quarterly and reviewed at management review.
Planned in phases
Quality control that grows with the firm
The firm grows in phases, each triggered by signed work (see Scalability). The quality system is already written for every phase, so controls are in place before the people who need them join.
| Phase | Team | How quality is controlled |
|---|---|---|
| Today | Principal engineer with vetted associates | Principal confirms requirements and approves every issue; associates evaluated and approved before engagement, with conflict-of-interest and permission declarations; when the principal originates, an approved associate checks. |
| Phase 1 | Core team: principal, structural engineer, CAD technician | Independent check by an engineer other than the originator on every deliverable; numbered transmittals; software validated before use. |
| Phase 2 | Project team of 5–6, including a 3D modeller | Project registers and deliverable lists; client feedback on every project; competence records for each team member. |
| Phase 3 | Civil & structural group: design team and Tekla modelling subgroup; IT engineer | Document control, access control, backups and licence records run by the IT engineer; internal audits by an independent auditor; management review. |
| Phase 4 | Multidisciplinary: E&IC, mechanical, piping stress and piping layout teams under senior experts; IT, admin & HR group | Checking within each discipline by team leaders and senior experts; document controllers issue all deliverables; six-monthly review of performance and resourcing. |
Documented information
QMS document register
The quality management system is documented in a quality manual, seven procedures and seventeen forms and registers. Documents are controlled, approved before use and reviewed at least annually. They are available to clients for audit on request.
Quality manual and core procedures
| Code | Title | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| QM-01 | Quality Manual | Scope, context, quality policy, processes and how each ISO 9001 requirement is met |
| QP-01 | Design Control & Checking Procedure | Confirming inputs, preparing, independently checking, approving and issuing deliverables; controlling design changes |
| QP-02 | Document & Record Control Procedure | Numbering, storage, revision control, transmittals, document-control roles and record retention |
| QP-03 | Associate & Supplier Control Procedure | Evaluating, approving, engaging and monitoring associates, senior experts, subcontract firms and other providers |
| QP-04 | Nonconformance, Corrective Action & Improvement Procedure | Handling errors and complaints, finding root causes, corrective action and continual improvement |
IT and administration
| Code | Title | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| QP-05 | IT, Cloud & Information Security Procedure | Cloud services, access control, devices, software licensing, backups, client and personal data |
| QP-06 | Administration & Statutory Compliance Procedure | Registrations, contracts, invoicing, statutory filings and renewals |
| QF-04 | Software & Tool Validation Register | Engineering software and calculation tools validated before use and after version changes |
| QF-12 | IT Infrastructure & Software Plan | Infrastructure and licences by phase, licence evidence and backup restore tests |
| QF-13 | Statutory Compliance Calendar | Recurring filings, renewals and reviews with due dates and owners |
People
| Code | Title | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| QP-07 | Human Resources Procedure | Recruitment, team structure, induction, competence, statutory employment obligations and exit |
| QF-03 | Competence Matrix & Training Record | Qualifications, experience and training needs of every team member and associate |
| QF-14 | Onboarding & Exit Checklist | Controlled start and exit: documents, accounts, equipment, induction and access removal |
| QF-16 | Associate Conflict-of-Interest & Permission Declaration | Confirms each associate and senior expert is free to work with us and has no conflict |
Projects, monitoring and improvement
| Code | Title | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| QF-01 | Risk & Opportunity Register | Business and project risks and opportunities with actions and owners |
| QF-02 | Quality Objectives & KPI Tracker | Quarterly measurement of the quality objectives |
| QF-05 | Associate Evaluation & Approval Form | Evaluation, approved scope and performance rating of associates and providers |
| QF-06 | Client Feedback Form | Client satisfaction at project close-out or every six months |
| QF-07 | Internal Audit Programme & Checklist | Annual audit plan and checklist, performed by an independent trained auditor |
| QF-08 | Management Review Record | Review of performance, risks, resources and improvements by top management |
| QF-09 | Nonconformance & Corrective Action Log | Record of errors, complaints, audit findings and their corrective actions |
| QF-10 | Calculation & Drawing Check Record | Evidence of the independent check of each deliverable |
| QF-11 | Document Transmittal | Controlled issue of deliverables with revision, status and purpose |
| QF-15 | Compliance Responsibility Matrix | Who is responsible for each statutory, provider and quality item |
| QF-17 | Subcontract Agreement Template | Terms for engineering firms engaged as subcontractors, with client obligations flowed down |
Responsibilities
Who is responsible for what
The Proprietor is accountable for every item, including work that is outsourced. Responsibility for doing the work is shared as shown, and moves to dedicated roles as the firm grows.
| Area | Proprietor (Quality Lead) | Independent Chartered Accountant firm | Cloud service providers | IT, admin & HR group (Phase 3+) | Senior experts & team leaders (Phase 4) | Independent internal auditor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quality policy, objectives and management review | A R | C | ||||
| Design checking and approval of deliverables | A | R | ||||
| Document control and transmittals | A | R | C | |||
| Information security and backups | A | R service | R accounts & data | |||
| Registrations, accounting and tax filings | A | R | C | |||
| Recruitment, onboarding and HR records | A | R | C | |||
| Associate and supplier control | A R | C | ||||
| Internal audit | A | R |
A Accountable: owns the outcome R Responsible: does the work C Consulted. Until Phase 3 the Proprietor carries out the IT, admin and HR items.
Registering LINE CONSULTANTS as a vendor?
Our prequalification pack includes company details, registrations and quality information. QMS documents can be made available for your audit on request.