Understanding the Process of Auditing and Reviewing

Audit and review define the quality to make the process error and defect-free. Likewise, error or defect prevention is the process of removing or controlling defects causes in the management systems. Moreover, these include the same objectives – to find, record and report possible causes of error.

Audit and review- Quality Process

• Firstly, quality audits and reviews, that subject each area of an organization’s activity to a systematic critical examination. It includes policy, attitudes, training, processes, etc.
• Then, a quality survey, it refers to an in-depth examination of a narrower field of activity. Therefore, revealing major key areas by system audits, procedures to an organization as a whole.
• After that, quality inspection, which takes the form of a routine scheduled inspection of a unit or department. The inspection should check standards, employee involvement, and working practices.
• Then, quality tour, it means the unscheduling examination of a work area to ensure that the standards of operation are acceptable and errors are removed.
• Quality sampling, which measures by random sampling, similar to activity sampling, the error/defect potential.
• Lastly, quality scrutinizes, which are the application of a formal, critical examination of the process and technological intentions for new or existing facilities and the consequential effects on quality.

Investigation of errors and defects

This process can provide valuable error prevention information. The general method is based on,

• Firstly, collecting data and information relating to the error or defect.
• then, checking the validity of the evidence.
• After that, selecting the evidence without making assumptions or jumping to conclusions.

Auditing Activities

For carrying out the audits, it should be drawn up using different activities. There are available several guides to management systems auditing. Moreover, there are different auditing activities:

• First-party or internal audits. That means carrying out by an organization on its own systems, either by the staff of the systems or by an outside agency.
• Second-party audits. It is carrying out by one organization on another. Either contract to purchase goods or services or intends to do so.
• Third-party audits. it means carrying out by independent agencies for providing assurance to existing and prospective customers for the product or service.

Audit Objectives and Responsibilities

This includes the roles of auditors and their independence, and understanding those of the ‘client’ or audited. The  steps are as follows:

• Firstly, initiation, including the audit scope and frequency;
• Then, preparation, including a review of documentation, the program, and working documents.
• After that, execution, including the opening meeting, examination, and evaluation, and closing the meeting with the auditee.
• Then reporting, it includes preparation, content, and distribution;
• Lastly, a completion that includes report submission and retention.

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