Internal auditing, when effectively implemented, can arguably be considered the most important tool in the quality system tool box. It’s the primary method for continuously monitoring a company's quality management system (QMS). In fact, the feedback from internal auditing is critical to the growth of the QMS.
Internal audits are essential for any quality management system, and are every bit as important as external audits when it comes to ISO 9001 standards. This may be done in-house by delegated managers, or even consultants who specialise in organisational auditing. One of the many reasons that internal audits are important is that they can assist in identifying potential problem areas in preparation for the external audit process. As such, the best time to conduct this audit is a few months before the third party external audit.
The internal audit focuses on the review of your quality management system, and although they are a necessity, they can also be a challenge in terms of the time, resources and capacity of those conducting the audit. Often, this task falls to several employees or managers in the case of larger companies, who have additional tasks to do along with the auditing tasks. To ensure that you get the most from this process, consider these tips for effective internal audits.
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Iso 9001, Iso 9000, Iso 9001 Certification, Quality Certification
