How to Audit the Process-Based QMS

This book is intended to help individuals involved in managing and conducting audits to ISO 9001:2000. It focuses on auditing as a management process as well as a key driver of continual improvement within an organization. An excellent resource for internal auditors, it's perfect for novice auditors or those who need a refresher on the fundamentals of auditing. This book can be used as a guide to establishing a new audit program or updating one that has been operational for some time. The authors participated in integrating the process approach into ISO 9001:2000 and thoroughly understand its implications for auditing a QMS.

The three main areas of focus in this book include the basics of process-based auditing, the requirements for establishing and managing an internal quality auditing process, and conducting audits. One of its best features is the section on auditing worksheets, forms, checklists, and questions. Included are useful and adaptable examples from every aspect of auditing such as: developing an audit schedule, planning an audit, writing findings, documenting positive and best practices, writing an audit report, and requesting corrective action. The book contains a comprehensive list of questions that auditors can use when conducting quality audits and features this information on the accompanying CD-ROM.

Dennis R. Arter is a renowned independent auditing consultant who has performed hundreds of quality audits for a variety of organizations within the manufacturing, financial, healthcare, and process industries. His books, including Quality Audits for Improved Performance (now in its third edition), have been used as a basic auditing resource for the past ten years. Arter is an ASQ Fellow and a charter ASQ Certified Quality Auditor. He is a licensed mechanical engineer and an ASQ volunteer leader. He has trained over 7,000 quality auditors worldwide. Arter can be reached at: arter@quality.org.

Charles A. Cianfrani is U.S. Expert Representative to ISO/TC 176/SC2/WG 18, the Working Group that wrote ISO 9001/4:2000. He is Managing Director of the Customer Focused Quality Group, at ARBOR, Inc. in Media, PA, and has led implementation of ISO 9001 compliant processes on five continents. He also has extensive experience in training quality auditors. He is a Fellow of ASQ, holds BS, MS, and MBA degrees, and is an ASQ CQE, CRE, CQA, as well as an RAB Certified Auditor. Cianfrani can be contacted at: cianfranic@aol.com.

John E. (Jack) West is chairman of the U.S. Technical Advisory Group for ISO/TC 176 and Lead Delegate for the United States to the International Organization for Standardization committee responsible for the ISO 9000 family of quality management standards. He is a quality excellence business consultant with over thirty years of experience in various industries around the world. West can be contacted at: jwest92144@aol.com.