ISO 44001-2017 PDF

Full title and description

ISO 44001:2017 — Collaborative business relationship management systems — Requirements and framework. This international standard specifies requirements and a management-system framework for establishing, developing and managing collaborative business relationships within and between organisations to maximise value from collaboration.

Abstract

ISO 44001:2017 sets out the requirements for an organisational management system to identify, develop and manage collaborative business relationships. It is intended for use by private and public organisations of all sizes and can be applied to single projects, individual relationships, multiple relationships (consortia, alliances, supply chains) or organisation‑wide.

General information

• Status: Published (reviewed and confirmed in 2022); Amended by ISO 44001:2017/Amd 1:2024.
• Publication date: March 2017 (Edition 1, 2017).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 03.100.01; 03.100.70.
• Edition / version: Edition 1 (2017); Amendment 1 published 2024.
• Number of pages: 60 (ISO edition).

Scope

ISO 44001:2017 applies to the establishment, development and management of collaborative business relationships across organisational boundaries. It defines requirements for a management system that supports identification of opportunities, partner selection, governance, operations, performance evaluation and continual improvement of collaborative arrangements — applicable to organisations of any sector or size and to single relationships, projects, programmes or organisation‑wide deployment.

Key topics and requirements

• Requirements for a collaborative business relationship management system aligned with ISO management‑system high level structure (leadership, planning, support, operation, performance evaluation, improvement).
• Formal processes for partner identification, selection and due diligence.
• Defined governance, roles, responsibilities and agreed joint objectives between partners.
• Operational arrangements for joint working, information exchange, risk and value sharing, and dispute avoidance/resolution.
• Performance monitoring, measurement and continual improvement of relationships.
• Use of an eight‑stage relationship life‑cycle model (operational awareness; knowledge; internal assessment; partner selection; working together; value creation; staying together; exit strategy implementation).

Typical use and users

Organisations seeking structured, repeatable approaches to partnering and third‑party collaboration commonly adopt ISO 44001. Typical users include procurement and supply‑chain functions, project and programme delivery teams, alliance/partnership managers, public authorities, joint‑venture sponsors and organisations involved in consortia or long‑term supplier relationships. It is used both as a certification/assessment target and as a framework for improving collaborative working practices.

Related standards

ISO 44002:2019 provides guidance on implementation of ISO 44001 and is commonly used alongside it. The ISO 44001 family builds on earlier UK standards such as BS 11000 and related national guidance; organisations often integrate ISO 44001 with other management standards (for example ISO 9001 quality management and procurement/sustainability guidance such as ISO/ISO‑related procurement guidance) when managing partner relationships.

Keywords

Collaborative business relationships; relationship management; partner selection; alliance management; consortia; supply chain collaboration; management system; governance; value sharing; ISO 44001; BS 11000.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 44001:2017 is an international management‑system standard specifying requirements and a framework for establishing, developing and managing collaborative business relationships.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers the full management‑system requirements for collaborative working (leadership, planning, support, operations, performance evaluation and improvement), processes for partner selection and governance, operational arrangements for joint working, and the relationship life‑cycle model to maximise value from collaboration.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Organisations of all sizes and sectors that engage in formal partnerships, alliances, consortia, joint ventures or complex supplier/customer relationships — including procurement, project delivery teams, partnership managers and public sector bodies.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ISO 44001:2017 remains a published international standard. It was reviewed and confirmed in 2022 and has an Amendment 1 (Climate action changes) published in 2024. ISO has also indicated development work on a next version (ISO/DIS 44001) in its review lifecycle. Check with your national ISO member or the ISO catalogue for the absolute latest status before procurement or certification.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — ISO 44001 has supporting documents (notably ISO 44002:2019 for implementation guidance) and national predecessors such as BS 11000; related guidance and technical committees (ISO/TC 286) maintain the series and associated materials.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Collaborative business relationship management, partner selection, value creation, governance, life‑cycle model, alliance management, supply‑chain collaboration, management system.