The least favorite words heard from a quality professional. While received reluctantly by those being audited, they do provide a valuable measurement.
Audits provide a snapshot of the quality systems of a business. In a short period of time, they can provide a fairly apparent view of how well systems operate. And, they are one of the cornerstones of continuous improvement, internally and externally.
There are many different types and uses of quality audits. Gap assessments are used for determining compliance of an entire system to a known standard or regulation. Internally, audits can be used to insure departments are complying with company policies and procedures, as well as regulatory requirements. External audits can be used gage the fitness of suppliers to meet the demands of your supply chain.
In addition, audits must be ethically and impartially conducted to provide the most value. EM2 professionals can provide an objective, third-party view, avoiding all the pitfalls that may arise when auditing.
