A quality audit is an external or internal review of a company’s quality program to determine compliance with standards such as ISO 9000. The auditor creates a plan, reviews records and practices, and prepares a report with recommendations for improvement.
A quality audit is an audit in which an auditor analyzes and verifies various records and processes related to a company’s quality program. In general, the purpose of a quality review is to determine whether the company is meeting its quality program or needs to make changes to its business practices. A company may also perform a quality audit in order to determine whether it complies with certain quality standards, such as those set by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9000. Put simply, ISO 9000 is a certification that a company is following formal company procedures.
Usually, a quality audit is an external audit, meaning it is conducted by an independent auditor or a panel of auditors with industry experience. A company may also choose to conduct an internal review of its quality control systems on a periodic basis. Audit team members are typically professionals who have extensive knowledge of audit standards, procedures, and principles. Additionally, auditors should have practical experience with examining, evaluating, and reporting whether any aspect of a quality system is deficient or satisfactory.
In a typical quality audit, the auditor first formulates a system audit plan. As a general rule, this plan usually details the history, scope and location of the audit. The plan also lists all written documentation that will need to be reviewed, as well as any interviews that will need to be conducted. For example, an auditor usually needs to review any of the company’s written quality management policies, procedures, and manuals. When the plan has been prepared, the auditor submits it to the company for approval.
Once the audit plan has been approved, the auditor typically meets with all individuals in the company responsible for the company’s quality program. The auditor also reviews all applicable records and verifies whether the company’s business practices align with its written quality program. If the data suggests that the company is not meeting its quality program, the auditor will review and document this information. Also, the auditor will note any areas where the company is compliant.
At the end of the quality audit, the auditor prepares a report detailing the overall findings. The report usually contains a summary of all the evidence that has been reviewed, including a description of any areas where the company is or is not compliant with its quality program. Usually, the report also details the auditor’s overall conclusion and evaluation of the company’s quality program. In addition, most reports provide the company with detailed recommendations for improving its quality program and operations.
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