A Simple Outlook on ISO 9001 Internal Audits

We all know that an ISO-certified company provides various scopes and opportunities, but when it comes to the implementation and maintaining of the standard, most of you would have the least idea. Many businesses jump on the certification audit immediately after implementing the Quality Management System or QMS. This is not the right way of dealing with the certification process. Why? Because a vital step is skipped- that is ISO 9001 internal audit program.

What is ISO 9001 Quality Internal Auditing Program?

Internal ISO audits are performed internally by an organization to self-check the mechanism of their QMS. The auditors can be company employees having knowledge of the department they are going to audit or third-party auditors assigned by the company. Usually, only big companies can afford in-house auditors. Most of the small and mid-level companies and enterprises prefer outsourcing auditing services to evaluate the QMS.

Purpose of Internal Auditing

The key endeavor of the internal audits is to determine the process conformity and performance evaluation. This auditing process helps the businesses identify a process that needs improvement as a mechanism to make sure that the QMS remains completely implemented and prepared for the certification audit.

Before your certification audit, it is important to perform the ISO internal auditing. It is relevant not only to the ISO 9001 Standard but also to every ISO standard. Every ISO certification needs a unique internal auditing process. For instance, ISO 14001 internal audit programs are required for ISO 14001 certification; ISO 27001 internal audits are required for ISO 27001 certification, etc. Sometimes, companies need to perform the audit more than one time to identify and resolve the hidden loopholes.

This process of internal auditing program delivers audit reports and records of corrective actions that pinpoint the strong and weak areas of an organization. These records are likely to be reviewed during the certification audit.

Internal Auditing Process

The internal auditing process comprises two important stages, such as:

Document Review- In this stage, the internal auditors examine whether procedural documentation is meeting the ISO 9001 requirements or not.

Process Review- In this stage, the audit process measures the actual business activities against the documentation This stage tries to find out any discrepancies existing within the business QMS.

ISO internal auditing is designed to find out whether the ISO 9001 Standard is effectively implemented or the implementation process contains certain flaws. It is true that the auditors cannot review every single process, documents, or individual’s contribution to an organization. Therefore, the auditors may need to depend on their discretion.

In most of the cases, internal auditors follow the Plan-Do-Check-Act model. It allows audit supervisors to define, implement, review, and enhance the auditing program. This model is known as one of the instrumental tools of modern quality control policy.

Process Documentation

The auditing process is quite simple. An internal auditor monitors whether the procedure documentation is compliant with the ISO 9001 Standard and then assures that the employees are following the procedures on a regular basis. However, this otherwise simple process may get difficult when a proper procedure or work instruction document is missing. Though ISO 9001 internal audits do not require any specific procedures or work instruction documentation, in particular, it may need some other documentation for adding value to the organization. In this context, it is important to note that process documentation is an internal benefit for most of the companies. It is not meant for the convenience of the auditors.

Five Tips on Streamlining your Internal Audit Process

1. Appoint deserving auditors

First, you need to make your internal auditing team. It is obvious that the team will have more than one individual; individuals should have an eye for detail and each of them should be punctual and dependable.

When it comes to appointing outside sources, you may need to research- try to explore the qualities and skills required for auditing; then research the market and find out the best internal auditing service providers.

1. Prepare forms and checklists

Three things you need to prepare; these are:

Audit checklist- Audit checklist is one of the most important elements of an internal auditing program. It may include several forms to make the process comparatively simpler.

Audit report form- Audit report records all the findings and it is presented to the senior audit team members or senior management of the audit department for corrective actions.

Attendance roaster- You may need an attendance roaster for tracking who attended the opening and closing meetings.

1. Turn the audit assessment into a standardized one

Your audit report should help you find the answer to these questions:

• Are the employees properly describing what they are doing?
• Are the employees doing exactly what they are describing?
• Are the employees showing excellence at what they are doing?

These answers will help you determine the employee intent, implementation and maintenance efficiency, and efficacy of vital business activities.

1. Arrange a closing meeting with auditee

It is important to arrange a closing meeting to draw a conclusion and sum up the entire auditing program.

1. Analyze the feedback gathered from the auditee

If you want to utilize all the benefits of ISO Quality Management Auditing Program, then it is important to analyze the audit report and the feedback gathered from the auditee. Based on the analysis, you may develop a strategic plan to resolve the identified issues.

Sum up

This is a brief insight into the ISO 9001 quality management-auditing program, an essential tool of widely popular ISO 9001 Quality Management Standard. It is an opportunity of exploring useful ways for turning your business into a better one.