Practical Management Systems That Support Your Business
Helping organizations design, implement, and manage quality and compliance systems that actually work — not just pass audits.
Based in Calgary, Alberta, we work with organizations across Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom. With over 30 years of experience in the writing, implementation, and oversight of management systems, we focus on creating solutions that are practical, user-friendly, and aligned with the real needs of your business.
A straightforward conversation about your needs.
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​Experienced Guidance.
Practical Results.​
At Mike Prior and Associates, we provide the tools, guidance, and hands-on support our clients need to succeed in demanding and highly regulated environments. Our approach is simple: management systems should support the business — not force the business to change simply to satisfy a standard.
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We believe that effective systems are clear, efficient, and understood by the people who use them every day. That philosophy shapes everything we do, from system design and implementation to training and ongoing management.
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When you work with us, you can expect a collaborative partnership built on transparency, consistency, and practical results.
In today’s economic climate, many organizations hesitate to implement or maintain quality systems due to the cost of a full-time quality manager.
We offer contract-based Quality Systems Management, often reducing costs by more than 50% compared to a full-time role. Engagements are structured around the number of hours required per week, based on company size, system complexity, and business goals.
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Our experience includes managing systems across:
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Design
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Manufacturing
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Education
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Manage your quality system day-to-day
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Act as a consultant while training internal staff
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Support audits and certification requirements
Limiting hours naturally encourages efficiency and continuous improvement, while reducing long-term financial risk.
Become one of our satisfied clients.
What Our Clients Say
It has been a real pleasure working with Mike in the past on Quality and Environmental Managment Systems. He brings exceptional talent in risk-based thinking, backed by decades of experience in continuous improvement.
Mike has a rare ability to simplify complexity, strengthen system maturity, and drive meaningful improvements wherever he works.
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If you're looking for someone who can rapidly elevate your Quality or Environmental framework, he comes highly recommended.
Darren Swithenbank MBCS CIPM
Head of Security, Governance Risk and Compliance
I hired Mike initially to take us through the ISO registration process. His work was excellent. We were approved on our first attempt, on time and on budget. Since then we have used Mike for several other projects with similar results. I would not hesitate to recommend Mike for any quality related project. He is very knowledgeable and easy to work with.
Dave Elhard
President IMS
Mike has been instrumental in assisting Blackline Safety in achieving ISO 14000, ISO 9001, IECEx, and ATEX certifications. In addition, over a number of years, he has supported numerous audits conducted by a wide range of agencies, consistently achieving excellent results.
Mike has also developed our corporate data security, privacy, and health & safety documentation, helping Blackline meet both customer data protection and H&S requirements.
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Mike has been a great support to Blackline as we have grown rapidly, allowing the rest of the team to remain focused on the core business.
Kevin Meyers
C.O.O. Blackline Safety
Become one of our satisfied clients.
Services
We work closely with clients to deliver consulting services tailored to their specific goals, challenges, and industries. Whether you’re building a system from the ground up or improving an existing one, we help simplify complexity and drive measurable results.​​​​​​​​​
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Quality Management Systems (ISO 9001, ISO 14000, ATEX, IECEx)
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We design and document Quality Management Systems that support your company’s objectives — not ones that create unnecessary bureaucracy.
Our services range from developing ISO 9001, ISO 14000, ATEX, and IECEx-compliant systems from scratch to revitalizing older systems that no longer serve the business. Too often, systems are written to satisfy every clause of a standard, resulting in overly complex documentation that frustrates staff and reduces effectiveness.
Our approach ensures your Quality Management System is:
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Practical and easy to use
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Aligned with how your business actually operates
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Designed to support growth, efficiency, and compliance
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Implementation & Staff Engagement
Successful implementation depends on ownership and understanding at every level of the organization.
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We work closely with senior leadership and staff to ensure processes and procedures are truly owned by the people who use them. Throughout development, we actively involve staff in shaping procedures and work instructions, while clearly explaining why formal systems are needed and how they benefit the business.
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Our One-Stop Package includes:
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Collaborative system development
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Staff engagement and knowledge transfer
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Training for all employees
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Internal auditor training
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This approach builds buy-in, reduces resistance, and creates systems that are sustained long after implementation.
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Training Development
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Training is one of the most important — and most overlooked — drivers of performance.
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A common misconception is that being good at a job automatically qualifies someone to train others. Without a structured and intentional approach, training outcomes are often inconsistent and ineffective.
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We help organizations develop training programs that are:
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Planned and repeatable
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Aligned with business and quality objectives
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Designed to deliver consistent results
Well-designed training has a measurable impact on performance, compliance, and employee confidence.
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Process Improvement
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Improving existing processes is one of the most effective ways to reduce costs and increase profitability — yet it’s often overlooked.
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The fact that a business has operated for years does not mean its processes are efficient. In organizations without a structured approach to process improvement, gains of up to 40% are often achievable.
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Our structured approach includes:
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Documenting the current state of processes
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Analyzing data to identify inefficiencies
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Ensuring no adverse downstream effects
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Establishing benchmarks to measure improvement
Many of the most impactful changes are low-cost and deliver immediate results. We place strong emphasis on involving frontline staff, as broad participation builds ownership and leads to more sustainable improvements.
Have a Question?
Have a particular challenge you’re trying to deal with? Contact me today and see what I can do for you.