Internal Quality Audits

You wouldn't be wrong if you think audit is related to financial audit. Many people have believed for many years that audit was only related to money. Although it is true in principle, we will expand the scope of audit by applying the same principles to a different application: quality system audit Auditform Auditing Software .

Auditing can be used to gather evidence regarding compliance with specific requirements. These requirements could include any applicable procedures, standards, or agreements to which an organization is a subscriber. These requirements could also include laws and regulations, including those of external parties who may have business relationships and an interest in the organization. As a party with an interest in the company, they must ensure that all aspects of the organization are consistent with its quality management system. The organization's business is managing its quality system.

An audit of the quality management system in an organization is essential to ensure that it is properly implemented. Audits are performed by internal auditors who are not associated with the specific area or function being inspected (internal audit). Audits can be performed externally as well as internal.

First Party Audit refers to an audit that is performed by auditors chosen within the organization (internal), but are not related to the area or function being inspected. External parties with business relationships with the organization, such as customers, carry out the Second Party Audit. Third Party Audits are performed by independent agencies that are not associated with either the customer or the organization. If certified, this Third Party Audit may reduce or eliminate the need to have a Second Party audit. Audits can be conducted in a number of ways. You can choose to use Horizontal or Vertical Approach. One approach to audit is vertical audit, where only one function or department is audited against every element of the standard or procedure. Horizontal audit, on the other hand, is an audit approach where all departments are audited against a single element of the procedure or standard.

An example of an Internal Quality Audit Structure, as required by ISO 9001, is:

1 Management Representative

2 Internal Quality Auditors

3 Management Review Body

The organization's top management appoints the Management Representative (also called MR) to manage the day-to-day operations of its quality management system. The MR also has the responsibility of selecting, training and managing auditors, monitoring internal audits, and scheduling them. Through the management review function, he is responsible for connecting the operating quality system to the company management. The MR brings to the attention the management recurring and persistent problems.

Auditor is derived from the root-word audio, which means "to hear" and "to listen". Auditor can also be translated as "hearer" and "listener". Auditors should be chosen from the functions covered by the quality control system as much as possible. This is to ensure that the auditor retains some ownership and an interest in the auditing process. To avoid bias judgment, the auditor must remain independent from the function being audited.