Why is internal auditing important to your quality management system (QMS)? To ensure that processes conform to ISO 9001 requirements, or to ensure that the company conforms to management’s own defined plans? Although audits can be done for both reasons, the second choice is more important. Internal auditing doesn’t merely assess conformity to requirements; it also helps establish a sound foundation for improvement.

How? Internal auditing helps ensure that any actions taken to improve operations, based on current performance indicators, are sensible. If performance indicators suggest improvement actions are warranted, those actions might be misguided if the defined system differs from how the system actually operates.

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