Volume 8 · Issue 12 · December 2003

Contents

Page 1…

Are You Ready for Continual Improvement Auditing (CIA)?

J.P. Russell writes that a good question for auditors to ask is: “When is it justified to issue a nonconformity or noncompliance for lack of continual improvement?” An auditor’s determination of conformity or nonconformity to continual improvement requirements may appear to be subjective. Thus, there is a need to prepare auditors to engage in auditing against the continual improvement requirements that will demonstrate objectivity to the organization and provide objective results. Russell examines what he calls continual improvement auditing (CIA). QMS auditors must be engaged in gathering intelligence about the organization’s processes, including those that lead to continual improvement, and you may find it very value-added to your auditing program and QMS to learn more about CIA.