Many companies’ internal quality audit systems suffer from a reputation of being mildly effective to completely ineffective or just nonvalue-added. Often, it’s viewed as a policing department from which one’s dirty laundry must be hidden. Also, the audit system itself is not viewed as a true “system” but rather as a small, self-contained department with duties and responsibilities not shared by the rest of the organization.

And yet, although it’s required in subclause 8.2.2.b of ISO 9001, many people tend to forget that internal audits are supposed to be conducted to ensure the quality management system is effectively implemented and maintained. The audit system is not just about ensuring conformance.

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