ISO 13485 Certification Documentation Assistant
Overview
This skill helps medical device manufacturers prepare comprehensive documentation for ISO 13485:2016 certification. It provides tools, templates, references, and guidance to create, review, and gap-analyze all required Quality Management System (QMS) documentation.
What this skill provides:
- Gap analysis of existing documentation
- Templates for all mandatory documents
- Comprehensive requirements guidance
- Step-by-step documentation creation
- Identification of missing documentation
- Compliance checklists
When to use this skill:
- Starting ISO 13485 certification process
- Conducting gap analysis against ISO 13485
- Creating or updating QMS documentation
- Preparing for certification audit
- Transitioning from FDA QSR to QMSR
- Harmonizing with EU MDR requirements
Core Workflow
1. Assess Current State (Gap Analysis)
When to start here: User has existing documentation and needs to identify gaps
Process:
- Collect existing documentation:
- Ask user to provide directory of current QMS documents
- Documents can be in any format (.txt, .md, .doc, .docx, .pdf)
- Include any procedures, manuals, work instructions, forms
- Run gap analysis script:
``bash python scripts/gap_analyzer.py --docs-dir <path_to_docs> --output gap-report.json ``
- Review results:
- Identify which of the 31 required procedures are present
- Identify missing key documents (Quality Manual, MDF, etc.)
- Calculate compliance percentage
- Prioritize missing documentation
- Present findings to user:
- Summarize what exists
- Clearly list what's missing
- Provide prioritized action plan
- Estimate effort required
Output: Comprehensive gap analysis report with prioritized action items
2. Understand Requirements (Reference Consultation)
When to use: User needs to understand specific ISO 13485 requirements
Available references:
references/iso-13485-requirements.md- Complete clause-by-clause breakdownreferences/mandatory-documents.md- All 31 required procedures explainedreferences/gap-analysis-checklist.md- Detailed compliance checklistreferences/quality-manual-guide.md- How to create Quality Manual
How to use:
- For specific clause questions:
- Read relevant section from
iso-13485-requirements.md - Explain requirements in plain language
- Provide practical examples
- For document requirements:
- Consult
mandatory-documents.md - Explain what must be documented
- Clarify when documents are applicable vs. excludable
- For implementation guidance:
- Use
quality-manual-guide.mdfor policy-level documents - Provide step-by-step creation process
- Show examples of good vs. poor implementation
Key reference sections to know:
- Clause 4: QMS requirements, documentation, risk management, software validation
- Clause 5: Management responsibility, quality policy, objectives, management review
- Clause 6: Resources, competence, training, infrastructure
- Clause 7: Product realization, design, purchasing, production, traceability
- Clause 8: Measurement, audits, CAPA, complaints, data analysis
3. Create Documentation (Template-Based Generation)
When to use: User needs to create specific QMS documents
Available templates:
- Quality Manual:
assets/templates/quality-manual-template.md - CAPA Procedure:
assets/templates/procedures/CAPA-procedure-template.md - Document Control:
assets/templates/procedures/document-control-procedure-template.md
Process for document creation:
- Identify what needs to be created:
- Based on gap analysis or user request
- Prioritize critical documents first (Quality Manual, CAPA, Complaints, Audits)
- Select appropriate template:
- Use Quality Manual template for QM
- Use procedure templates as examples for SOPs
- Adapt structure to organization's needs
- Customize template with user-specific information:
- Replace all placeholder text: [COMPANY NAME], [DATE], [NAME], etc.
- Tailor scope to user's actual operations
- Add or remove sections based on applicability
- Ensure consistency with organization's processes
- Key customization areas:
- Company information and addresses
- Product types and classifications
- Applicable regulatory requirements
- Organization structure and responsibilities
- Actual processes and procedures
- Document numbering schemes
- Exclusions and justifications
- Validate completeness:
- All required sections present
- All placeholders replaced
- Cross-references correct
- Approval sections complete
Document creation priority order:
Phase 1 - Foundation (Critical):
- Quality Manual
- Quality Policy and Objectives
- Document Control procedure
- Record Control procedure
Phase 2 - Core Processes (High Priority):
- Corrective and Preventive Action (CAPA)
- Complaint Handling
- Internal Audit
- Management Review
- Risk Management
Phase 3 - Product Realization (High Priority):
- Design and Development (if applicable)
- Purchasing
- Production and Service Provision
- Control of Nonconforming Product
Phase 4 - Supporting Processes (Medium Priority):
- Training and Competence
- Calibration/Control of M&M Equipment
- Process Validation
- Product Identification and Traceability
Phase 5 - Additional Requirements (Medium Priority):
- Feedback and Post-Market Surveillance
- Regulatory Reporting
- Customer Communication
- Data Analysis
Phase 6 - Specialized (If Applicable):
- Installation (if applicable)
- Servicing (if applicable)
- Sterilization (if applicable)
- Contamination Control (if applicable)
4. Develop Specific Documents
Creating a Quality Manual
Process:
- Read the comprehensive guide:
- Read
references/quality-manual-guide.mdin full - Understand structure and required content
- Review examples provided
- Gather organization information:
- Legal company name and addresses
- Product types and classifications
- Organizational structure
- Applicable regulations
- Scope of operations
- Any exclusions needed
- Use template:
- Start with
assets/templates/quality-manual-template.md - Follow structure exactly (required by ISO 13485)
- Replace all placeholders
- Complete required sections:
- Section 0: Document control, approvals
- Section 1: Introduction, company overview
- Section 2: Scope and exclusions (critical - must justify exclusions)
- Section 3: Quality Policy (must be signed by top management)
- Sections 4-8: Address each ISO 13485 clause at policy level
- Appendices: Procedure list, org chart, process map, definitions
- Key requirements:
- Must reference all 31 documented procedures (Appendix A)
- Must describe process interactions (Appendix C - create process map)
- Must define documentation structure (Section 4.2)
- Must justify any exclusions (Section 2.4)
- Validation checklist:
- [ ] All required content per ISO 13485 Clause 4.2.2
- [ ] Quality Policy signed by top management
- [ ] All exclusions justified
- [ ] All procedures listed in Appendix A
- [ ] Process map included
- [ ] Organization chart included
Creating Procedures (SOPs)
General approach for all procedures:
- Understand the requirement:
- Read relevant clause in
references/iso-13485-requirements.md - Understand WHAT must be documented
- Identify WHO, WHEN, WHERE for your organization
- Use template structure:
- Follow CAPA or Document Control templates as examples
- Standard sections: Purpose, Scope, Definitions, Responsibilities, Procedure, Records, References
- Keep procedures clear and actionable
- **Define r