ABSTRACT
When conducting quality audits, the auditor is auditing the system and processes; the system is a group of related procedures (in ISO 9000 and QS-9000 systems they are called elements) that when carried out, achieve the goals stated in the quality policy. A procedure is audited, when scheduled, by verifying compliance to the written procedure. Thus the auditor is checking to see if who does what, when, where, and how, is the same as prescribed in the documentation. The auditor is also checking the effectiveness of how they meet the requirements of each element, and looking for opportunities for improvement.
