scope:

SCOPE AND AUTHORITIES.

It is recommended the reader become familiar with the directives and publications noted throughout this Instruction. Applicable directives and publications are listed as references on the previous page of this Instruction.

PURPOSE.

The purpose of this Instruction is to set policy for the operation of the Coast Guard's Mission Management System (MMS). The MMS is an ISO 9001 based quality management system (QMS) to ensure fulfillment of domestic and international obligations for marine safety and security. A QMS is the organizational structure, procedures, and resources needed to direct and control an organization in order to continually improve its effectiveness and efficiency. References (a) and (b) require the use of a QMS for specific marine safety mission areas. The goal of the MMS is to use a systems based approach by integrating the standards of Reference (c) to advance mission excellence, consistency, customer focus, and continual improvement, with emphasis on achieving value for the Coast Guard workforce and the customers we serve.