Quality Audits

Internal Quality Audits is a powerful tool for any business to measure the effectiveness of the Quality Management System. It is also a good management tool that can be used to review processes and identify any weaknesses, risks and areas of improvement. On the Quality Management System sense it is used to assess if a process is working, if things are being done the way they are supposed to be done, however at the same time it is an excellent way of measuring the effectiveness of your procedures.

Quality Audits should be planned on a regular basis so that each activity is audited at least once in the audit cycle.  High risk areas should be audited more often to ensure conformance.  An audit can also be carried out if a particular problem has arisen, to establish the source of the problem and document any corrective actions. Quality Audits are also used to check any previously identified non-conformances or business changes.

The Quality Audits: Quality Audits need to be documented, it is important to remember that you are auditing against the Quality Management System and therefore audits should be constructed against procedures from the Quality Manual.  If it is not in the manual, then it should not be audited. 

During a Quality Audits you need to see evidence that the processes are being done in accordance to the procedures and policies.  Evidence should be recorded against each section being audited.  Recording of evidence needs to have a description of the documentation sighted, number, date and any other information that will assist in identifying that document. 

Quality Audits findings need to be documented and any non-conformances found should be reported for further action.  A date should be established for the correction, a follow up Quality Audits should be carried out to ensure that the non-conformance has been fixed.

Quality Audits Documentation: Quality Audits documentation does not need to be complicated, normally there are 3 documents:  the audit plan, audit notes and audit report.

The Quality Audits plan: The Quality Audits plan is sent to the department being audited a few days prior, it should include the date of the audit, the planned time, duration, auditors names, location (if relevant) and the policies and procedures that will be used during the audit.  It should also mention any non-conformances that were found during last audit.

The Quality Audits Notes: The Quality Audits notes are the Auditor's questions that will be asked during the audit.  It should include references to particular policies and procedures and what will be asked during the audit.  The same document should be used to record the findings and any comments during the audit.

Audit Report: The audit report is the official document used to report the findings of the audit.  This document should include details of the audit, date, auditor’s names, policies and procedures and findings against them.  It should include if it passed audit and any non-conformances or observations found.  If non-conformance are found a date should be established for completion of corrective actions.  The audit report is normally signed by the auditor and the department manager.