PATHFINDER™ was initially released in June 2006 as an interim Scheme for assessment and certification services. With the publication of ISO/IEC 15504 Part 7 Assessment of Organizational Maturity the Scheme was formally released on 15 September 2008 and revsied on 3 December 2008 to reflect the registration of ISO/IEC 29169 'The application of conformity assessment methodology to process capability and organizational maturity'.

The PATHFINDER™ stakeholders include accreditation bodies, certification bodies, assessment bodies, consulting organizations and supplier organizations.

The overall framework for assessment and certification follows the principles defined in ISO/IEC 17020:1998 General criteria for the operating of various types of bodies performing inspection.

Within the overall framework, assessment is performed
* by a TYPE (A, B, C) of assessment body that is independent to the extent required with regard to the conditions under which it performs assessments, and
* according to a Class (1, 2, 3) of assessment that will have an impact on the extent of the confidence required in an assessment and the relative costs for an assessment in relationship to the needs of the business.

Under the PATHFINDER™ scheme a Certificate of Assessment (maximum validity two years) is issued with the assessment report following. The following Certificates of Assessment are valid
• Certificate of assessment of Process Capability
• Certificate of assessment of Organizational Maturity

The PATHFINDER™ scheme additionally provides for the award of Certification (maximum validity three years). Certification is subject to a certification cycle that includes annual surveillance assessments. Certification is valid only for certain Classes (1, 2) of assessment performed by an independent Assessment Body (TYPE A). The following Certifications may be awarded:
• Certification of Process Capability
• Certification of Organizational Maturity

To join the PATHFINDER™ Stakeholder Group please use the contact form on the web site. Only serious expressions of interest will be considered.

To enquire about PATHFINDER™ assessment and certification services, please use the contact form on the web site.