Supplier audit
A supplier audit is a formal assessment of a supplier's quality systems, manufacturing processes, business practices, and compliance status conducted through on-site evaluation. Audits verify that suppliers can meet requirements and identify improvement opportunities, providing deeper insight than documentation reviews or self-assessments alone.
Examples
Qualification audit: Before approving a new supplier for production, the quality team conducts an on-site audit assessing their quality management system, manufacturing capabilities, inspection equipment, documentation practices, and corrective action processes. The audit report determines approval status and identifies conditions.
Surveillance audit: An established supplier receives periodic surveillance audits to verify continued compliance with requirements. These routine audits confirm that quality systems remain effective and may be triggered by time intervals or performance issues.
Process-specific audit: An audit focused specifically on heat treating processes evaluates pyrometry, furnace controls, atmosphere management, and certification compliance for this special process. The scope is narrower but deeper than a general quality system audit.
Definition
Audits provide direct observation of supplier operations that isn't possible through remote assessment. Physical presence reveals conditions that documentation can't capture: factory organization, workforce capability, equipment condition, and management engagement with quality.
Audit planning includes defining scope and criteria, scheduling with the supplier, assembling audit team with appropriate expertise, and preparing checklists based on requirements and standards. Pre-audit document review makes on-site time more productive.
During the audit, the team examines systems and processes, interviews personnel, reviews records, and observes operations. Findings are documented with objective evidence. The audit concludes with a closing meeting to share preliminary findings.
Post-audit activities include report preparation, corrective action tracking, and decisions based on findings. Audits that identify critical issues should have clear paths to resolution and verification. Audit frequency and scope should be risk-based.
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