QUALITY AUDIT Meaning and
Definition
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A quality audit refers to a systematic examination and evaluation of the processes, operations, products, or services of an organization to determine their conformance with established quality standards. It involves a comprehensive review of various factors that contribute to the quality of an organization's outputs, including procedures, documentation, infrastructure, human resources, and compliance with regulations or industry best practices.
The purpose of a quality audit is to ensure that the organization's activities are carried out in a manner that consistently meets specified quality requirements and achieves the desired level of excellence. It helps identify any areas of non-compliance, inefficiencies, or shortcomings in the organization's quality management system. By conducting audits, organizations can take preventive or corrective actions to improve their processes, enhance customer satisfaction, and maintain compliance with quality standards.
During a quality audit, trained professionals, known as auditors, conduct a thorough examination of the organization's operations, often based on established frameworks such as ISO 9001. Auditors gather evidence and evaluate its significance to determine the effectiveness and efficiency of processes and identify areas for improvement. They assess adherence to documented procedures, evaluate the effectiveness of quality control measures, review records and documentation, and interview personnel to gain a comprehensive understanding of the organization's quality management practices.
Ultimately, a quality audit helps organizations enhance their overall quality performance, maintain customer satisfaction, adhere to standards, and continuously improve their operations, products, or services.
Etymology of QUALITY AUDIT
The word "quality" comes from the Latin word "qualitas", which means "character" or "nature". The term "audit" has its roots in the Latin word "audire", meaning "to hear". In the medieval period, an "audit" referred to the process of examining accounts by listening to them, rather than reading them.
Therefore, the etymology of the term "quality audit" suggests that it is a combination of the Latin words "qualitas" and "audit", highlighting the process of examining and assessing the character or nature of something in terms of its quality.
