Last Updated on October 31, 2025 by Melissa Lazaro

Why Every Certification Body Needs a Gap-Analysis Before ISO/IEC 17024 Implementation

Every certification body wants a smooth path to ISO/IEC 17024 accreditation — but most hit roadblocks early on. The main reason? They jump straight into documentation without checking where they actually stand.

In my experience, the gap-analysis stage separates organized teams from overwhelmed ones. It’s that simple. This single exercise helps you understand how close (or far) your current system is from meeting the standard’s requirements. And once you have that clarity, everything else — from drafting procedures to preparing for assessments — becomes easier and faster.

The ISO/IEC 17024 Gap-Analysis Checklist is designed to help you spot missing elements, weak points, and compliance strengths before you begin full implementation. Think of it as your internal GPS — showing exactly what to fix before you hit the accreditation road.

Understanding the Purpose of a Gap-Analysis in ISO/IEC 17024 Accreditation

A gap-analysis is more than just a checklist. It’s a structured comparison between your current processes and what ISO/IEC 17024 actually requires. Done right, it gives you a clear baseline for planning, budgeting, and assigning responsibilities.

Here’s what I’ve noticed over the years:
Certification bodies that skip this step usually discover compliance issues too late — often during the pre-assessment or final audit.

A solid gap-analysis helps you:

• Identify missing documents, records, or controls.
• Clarify what’s already compliant.
• Highlight what needs revision or creation.
• Set realistic timelines for implementation.

Pro Tip: Treat the gap-analysis like your first internal audit. It’s your chance to catch weaknesses before assessors do.

Common Pitfall: Rushing through it or treating it as a box-ticking formality. When done superficially, you’ll end up re-doing it once auditors start asking tough questions.

How to Conduct a Gap-Analysis Step-by-Step

If you’re doing this for the first time, keep it simple but systematic.

Here’s how I usually guide clients through it:

1. Review every clause of ISO/IEC 17024 carefully.
2. List existing procedures and records that address each requirement.
3. Score compliance levels – for instance:
   • Compliant
   • Partially Compliant
   • Not Implemented
4. Add notes or evidence supporting each rating.
5. Develop an action plan based on your findings.

Once complete, you’ll have a visual summary of where you stand.

Pro Tip: Involve people from different roles — technical experts, quality managers, and administrative staff. Different perspectives reveal blind spots.

One of my clients, a mid-sized certification body, discovered they were only 45% compliant before starting implementation. Because they caught that early, they focused their efforts smartly — and achieved accreditation three months ahead of schedule.

Key Areas to Assess Using the ISO/IEC 17024 Gap-Analysis Checklist

A thorough checklist should mirror the structure of the standard. These are the core areas to review:

• Clause 4 – General Requirements: Legal entity, impartiality, confidentiality, and liability.
• Clause 5 – Structural Requirements: Organizational structure, management roles, and authority.
• Clause 6 – Resource Requirements: Personnel competence, training, and management of outsourced activities.
• Clause 7 – Certification Scheme Development: Scheme validity, competence criteria, and exam processes.
• Clause 8 – Certification Process: Application handling, assessment, examination, certification decisions, and surveillance.
• Clause 9 – Management System: Document control, record retention, internal audits, corrective actions, and management review.

Pro Tip: Use a simple color-coding system — green for compliant, yellow for partial, red for not implemented. Visual summaries help teams track progress at a glance.

Common Pitfall: Focusing only on documents. Accreditation assessors want to see evidence of practice, not just paperwork.

Turning Your Gap-Analysis Results Into an Action Plan

Once your checklist is complete, the next step is to translate findings into actions.

Here’s an easy structure I recommend:

Requirement	Current Status	Evidence	Action Needed	Responsible Person	Due Date

Prioritize actions that have the biggest impact on your readiness — for example, missing impartiality policies or unverified personnel competence should come before minor formatting issues.

Pro Tip: Revisit the checklist every 30–45 days. It’s not a static document — it evolves with your progress.

Common Pitfall: Treating the gap-analysis as a one-time exercise. The best teams use it as a continuous improvement tool, updating it after every internal audit or management review.

Using Digital Tools to Simplify ISO/IEC 17024 Gap-Analysis

Tracking gaps manually can work, but digital tools save serious time — especially when multiple departments are involved.

You can start with Excel or Google Sheets, but many certification bodies now use compliance dashboards that:

• Automatically calculate overall compliance scores.
• Assign tasks and send reminders.
• Track completion status per clause.
• Store supporting documents securely.

Pro Tip: If your team is distributed or working remotely, use a cloud-based tracker with shared access. Everyone stays aligned, and evidence stays centralized.

One of my clients integrated their checklist into a cloud-based QSE system. Within weeks, they had full visibility of tasks, owners, and deadlines — and their management review meetings became 40% shorter because everything was already organized.

FAQs – ISO/IEC 17024 Gap-Analysis Checklist

When should we perform a gap-analysis?
Ideally, before writing new procedures or applying for accreditation. It gives you a realistic view of your current readiness.

Do we need a consultant to do it?
Not always. If your team understands ISO/IEC 17024 requirements, you can do it internally. But having an external reviewer helps validate your interpretations and highlight blind spots.

How often should we update our checklist?
At least once per accreditation cycle — or whenever you change your certification scheme or processes.

Start with Clarity, Finish with Confidence

A gap-analysis isn’t just paperwork — it’s your strategic foundation for ISO/IEC 17024 success. By identifying what’s missing early, you save time, avoid costly rework, and walk into your accreditation audit with confidence.

I’ve seen certification bodies transform their timelines and outcomes simply by taking this one step seriously. You can do the same.

Next Step:
Download the ISO/IEC 17024 Gap-Analysis Checklist or schedule a short consultation to review your results and turn them into a clear, actionable plan.