Your Step-by-Step Roadmap to Getting ISO Certified in 90 Days
ISO certification can sound intimidating—especially for lean tech teams focused on building fast and staying agile. But here’s the good news: you absolutely can get certified in 90 days with the right plan, the right tools, and the right mindset.
Whether you’re preparing to close a big enterprise deal, planning to raise your next round, or just want to level up your internal operations, this roadmap will guide you through the process—step by step, without the overwhelm.
Step 1: Choose the Right ISO Standard for Your Business
Before diving in, you need to pick the certification that best fits your business model and goals. For most tech startups and service providers, the top two are:
- ISO 27001 – Information Security Management Ideal for SaaS platforms, fintechs, healthcare, and anyone handling sensitive user data. Focuses on data security, access control, risk management, and cyber resilience.
- ISO 9001 – Quality Management System Best for agencies, consultancies, and product companies. Focuses on standardized delivery, customer satisfaction, and continual improvement.
✨ Pro tip: Start with the ISO that aligns with your short-term goals (e.g., landing a client or passing a security review) but think long-term about what will serve your business as you grow.
Step 2: Conduct a Gap Analysis
This is your ISO baseline.
A gap analysis compares your current processes and documentation to what the ISO standard requires. It helps you pinpoint:
- What you're already doing well
- What's missing or undocumented
- Where you need to improve controls or clarify responsibilities
You can do this yourself using checklists from ISO or your certifying body—or work with a consultant who’ll audit you against the standard.
🔍 Why it matters: Skipping this step leads to wasted time and rework. Knowing your gaps early lets you prioritize the right fixes from day one.
Step 3: Create or Update Your Core Policies and Controls
Once you know your gaps, it’s time to start building—or refining—your systems.
This typically includes:
- Security policies (access management, incident response, encryption, backups)
- Quality procedures (customer feedback, nonconformance handling, change control)
- Business continuity or disaster recovery plans
- Vendor and third-party management frameworks
- Documentation of roles and responsibilities
Don’t overdo it with bureaucratic red tape. Keep your policies lean, relevant, and easy to follow—tailored to how your team actually works.
🛠 Pro tip: Use ISO-aligned templates to save time, and adapt them to your workflows.
Step 4: Train Your Team
ISO isn’t just about documents—it’s about behavioral alignment across your team.
Once your policies are in place, you need to train your people on:
- What ISO means and why it matters
- What’s changed in your processes
- What their roles are in maintaining compliance
You don’t need hours of workshops. A focused 1-hour session (plus some quick-reference guides or checklists) is often enough to get everyone on board.
📣 Why it matters: Auditors will talk to your team—not just read your docs. Everyone should be able to explain what they do and how it supports ISO.
Step 5: Run an Internal Audit
Think of this as your practice run.
You or a qualified internal auditor (or external consultant) will:
- Review your documents and controls
- Interview team members
- Test your processes against the ISO standard
The goal is to find issues before the official auditor does. You’ll log non-conformities, fix them, and record your corrective actions.
🔄 Bonus benefit: This step helps refine your systems and gives your team confidence ahead of the real thing.
Step 6: Hire a Certification Body
This is your final step: bring in an accredited certification body to conduct your Stage 1 and Stage 2 external audits.
- Stage 1 is a documentation review—making sure your policies, procedures, and records exist and are complete.
- Stage 2 is a deeper operational audit—verifying that you're doing what you say you do.
If you pass, you’ll receive your official ISO certificate—typically valid for 3 years with annual surveillance audits.
🧾 Pro tip: Choose a certification body with experience in your industry.
Bonus: Streamline with Templates + a Consultant
Trying to figure out ISO from scratch can eat up time and energy you don’t have. The smart shortcut? Use ISO-aligned templates and bring in a consultant if:
- You’re on a tight timeline (like 90 days)
- You’ve never done an audit before
- You need help interpreting the standard for your specific setup
A good consultant will:
- Handle the heavy lifting on policies and process design
- Prepare you for the audit (and attend it with you)
- Keep your project on track, so it doesn’t stall halfway through
Think of them like a Sherpa—they won’t do every step for you, but they’ll make the climb way smoother and faster.
Final Thoughts: ISO in 90 Days Is Real—If You Plan It Right
Getting ISO certified doesn’t have to be a year-long grind. With focused effort and the right support, you can absolutely hit your certification goal in just 3 months.
It’s not about perfection—it’s about proving that your systems are strong, your team is aligned, and your business is ready for whatever comes next.
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