ISO 44001 standard
Setting the standard for effective business collaboration.
Alliance management is an organizational capability with an international standard — one that ASAP helps shape.
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) brings experts together from around the globe to develop consensus standards for manufacturing, transportation, and environmental protection — and also for management systems.
What is the ISO?
The ISO develops international consensus standards that create a common language for global industry. These standards include technical specifications for products and systems, as well as frameworks for how organizations manage quality, security, sustainability, and collaboration.
The ISO as an international body is analogous to the World Trade Organization (WTO) for international trade rules, or the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) for internet standards.
As the ANSI-accredited U.S. TAG Administrator for ISO/TC 286, ASAP sits at the table where international standards for collaborative business relationships are developed, codified, and revised.
ISO 44001 is the world's first internationally recognized standard that establishes a framework for managing collaborative business relationships. By applying ISO 44001, organizations can foster successful collaborations, unlock greater value, mitigate risks, and accelerate business outcomes.
ASAP's role
As the leading professional association dedicated to the discipline of alliance management, ASAP plays a pivotal role in shaping the ISO 44001 standard.
US participation in ISO’s international activities is coordinated through ANSI-accredited US Technical Advisory Groups (TAGs). As the ANSI-accredited US TAG Administrator for ISO's Technical Committee 286, which is tasked with developing the standard for collaborative business relationship management, ASAP not only helps steer 44001’s development but also leads the US Technical Advisory Groups (TAGs) responsible for drafting new parts of the standard.
How ISO 44001 shapes ASAP's offerings
A major benefit to our position in the ISO 44001 development process is that all of our alliance management offerings are explicitly aligned with the international standard for collaborative business relationships. This includes:
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The ASAP Handbook of Alliance Management, which is cross-referenced with the ISO 44001 standard, providing a clear roadmap for implementation of not only best practices in alliance management, but the international standard for collaborative business relationships.
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ASAP’s two certifications — Certificate of Achievement – Alliance Management (CA-AM) and Certified Strategic Alliance Professional (CSAP) — are closely aligned with the competency model outlined in ISO 44001. CA-AM- and CSAP-certified alliance professionals are ready to help organizations implement the standard.
Looking to adopt and optimize the ISO 44001 framework at your organization? ASAP can help! We offer workshops, tools, and tailored solutions. Reach out to us on our contact page.
ISO 44001 deep dive
ISO 44001 was designed to drive economic growth by supporting successful collaborations. The standards seek to reduce cost, development time, and risk by streamlining collaborative processes. We believe that organizations that adopt ISO 44001 hold a competitive advantage and are well-positioned to become credible and trusted leaders in their industries and ecosystems.
The ISO 44000 series includes standards and guidance covering different aspects of collaborative business relationship management:
- 44000:2019 - 12 principles for successful collaborative business relationship management
- 44001:2017 - Main standard: Requirements and framework (second edition currently under development)
- 44002:2019 - Guidelines on the implementation of ISO 44001
- 44003:2021 - Guidelines for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) on the implementation of the fundamental principles
- 44004:2021 - Guidelines for large organizations seeking collaboration with MSMEs
- 44005:2026- Guidelines on leadership for collaborative relationship management
- 44006:2023 - Guidelines for university-business collaboration
- 44007:2025 - Guidance for ecosystem collaborations - led by U.S./ASAP
- 44008 (under development) - Guidelines for collaboration in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) - led by U.S./ASAP