Cargo iQ adopts new tiered implementation program

Apr 10, 2025

Cargo iQ's membership is rolling out a new tiered certification program which will articulate clear quality expectations for its members.

The tiered certification program will help members, old and new, to develop staggered implementation plans as the tiers reflect the level at which a member has implemented Cargo iQ’s operational milestones, allowing them to use the data to gradually improve.

“The introduction of a tiered structure will allow our members to accurately map their quality progress, being able to identify areas that require further improvement” said Kerstin Strauss, VP, Global Air Logistics Operations and Governance at K+N, Chair of the Cargo iQ Board.

Specific Tiers have been designed for each member type and will reflect a members implementation level.

The tiers, ranging from 1-3, will reflect the scores achieved by members after a data-driven assessment, which will check milestone capabilities and monitor how continuous improvement practises are being applied to operations.

Lean audits are also being introduced alongside the existing audit process so members can upgrade their tiers outside the usual audit cycle.

“Milestones such as the FWB will apply for all stakeholders: This is to reflect the commitment that Cargo iQ members make to jointly increase input and output quality and hold each other accountable. In this way we make a conscious shift from blame game to raising the game,” explained R.J Pegels, Director of Performance Management at AF/KLM Cargo and Vice Chair of the Cargo iQ Board.

This program ties in with Cargo iQ's membership engagement initiative, which aims to increase engagement through a structured Member Journey Map review. This has been gradually introduced for new members since autumn 2024 and is now being extended to existing full members.

“The tiers system and member engagement initiative will allow the Board and management Team, to prioritize and tackle issues across the different quality levels.” Said Marie Seco-Köppen Executive Director, Cargo iQ.

“The membership will be in a better position to create future oriented standards without relying on the pace of the lowest common denominator.”

The first-tier system assessment will take place this summer, once the data reporting-specifications are upgraded. This will be followed by the incorporation of the new tiers matrix into the Smart Data platform in autumn 2025.