Auditing is one of the elements that makes your quality management system complete. It fits snugly into the “check” component of your plan-do-check-act cycle. Auditing isn’t a haphazard or optional occurrence that you tolerate to maintain certification. It’s an invaluable assessment tool that provides a reliable indicator of the integrity of your organization’s system and processes.

This book presents nine keys that will help your organization reap benefits from its auditing—internal or external—program:

1. Plan and prepare.


2. Drive fear out of the audit program.


3. Ensure adequate training.


4. Create effective checklists.


5. Hone your interviewing skills.


6. Manage the audit team.


7. Write an informative audit report.


8. Take action on audit findings.


9. Report back to top management.