Internal audits are done by the organization to assess its own quality management system and although required, there is a great value that results from the process. BIZPHYX offers internal auditing for TL 9000 and ISO 9001 based quality management systems, as well as support services during certification and surveillance audits. We also conduct supplier audits, which assist in supplier development.
Preparation: Understanding Audits
In our audio FAQ, we explain some of the complexities between internal, certification and surveillance audits. For additional explanations you can view our TL 9000 FAQs. Internal audits are a requirement of quality management systems. It is a cost of maintenance. It is strongly recommended that you conduct an internal audit of your clauses once a year.
When you first certify to your quality standard, you will go through a certification audit and then during the next two years, you will go through surveillance audits regarding portions of your quality system. A registrar or certifying body performs certification, surveillance and re-certification audits of your full quality system. They do not conduct your internal audits.
Internal audits not only uncover problems in your quality management system, they help you to identify areas where you can improve efficiency by making your processes and procedures more effective. You can take the results of your internal audits and apply Lean Six Sigma techniques to further eliminate waste and reduce cost. Although required, internal audits can prove to be very beneficial to your business.
Implementation: Who Can Audit What?
A big area of concern for organizations may not be the audit itself, but the players involved. A registrar cannot do internal auditing or consulting, as well as conduct certification and surveillance audits of your QMS. It is a serious conflict of interest. The same is true of consultants like BIZPHYX. We cannot certify or register you. However, in addition to completing your internal audits and training your staff to do their own internal audits, we can serve as your advocate during certification and surveillance audits with your registrar. We often assist our clients during what can be an anxiety filled process.
Additionally, we facilitate supplier audits which are slightly different. They are a part of supply chain management and are often conducted when a supplier is not certified to a particular quality standard and therefore does not conduct annual internal audits. This may be done as part of a supplier scorecard and to reduce supply chain risk. Please see our supplier developmentprograms.
Maintenance: Outsourcing While You Learn
Some companies decide to train their own staff to do internal auditing. Depending on the company, this can be costly. Sometimes it is better to retain experienced auditors like BIZPHYX, to conduct your internal audits. However, we can train your staff to assume this role. Additionally, you need to be sure that your auditor is qualified. Any internal auditor should be able to demonstrate through their records, that they are capable of auditing your particular standard. BIZPHYX will always provide credentials and documentation on anyone sent to evaluate your quality management system.
Why Choose BIZPHYX?
We know you have a choice when it comes to consultants. BIZPHYXdoes not bill by the hour and we complete turnkey projects for a
single price, agreed upon with our clients.
Nationally recognized as TL 9000 Experts, BIZPHYX is certified to both ISO 9001 and TL 9000. Few quality management consulting firms are certified to the standards they implement. This level of expertise translates into results for our clients, as evidenced by an unprecedented 100% client certification rate and that's what drives us, customer success.
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BIZPHYX consultants, trainers and project managers are highly skilled in the standards and practices we support. If you have an immediate question regarding internal audits, you can contact one of our experts directly:
