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Quality audits: Definition & important aspects for buyers
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Quality audits in a nutshell:
A quality audit is a systematic, independent investigation process for evaluating suppliers' quality standards, processes and systems. For purchasing, it serves as an important tool for supplier qualification and development as well as for minimizing risks in the supply chain.
Example: An automotive supplier conducts a two-day quality audit at a new electronics component supplier, in which 87 test criteria in the areas of production planning, quality control and documentation are evaluated, resulting in an audit score of 82 out of 100 possible points.
Contents
Quality audits: An introduction
What are quality audits?
Quality audits are systematic and independent reviews that serve to assess compliance with quality standards and processes within a company or at suppliers. They check whether products, services and processes meet the specified requirements and identify opportunities for improvement. Regular audits ensure that quality targets are achieved and continuously improved.
Core elements of quality audits
Importance of quality audits in purchasing
In procurement, quality audits are a key tool for ensuring the quality of purchased products and services. They make it possible to evaluate the performance of suppliers, minimize risks and check compliance with legal and contractual requirements. Through effective audits, purchasing strengthens its position, increases the reliability of the supply chain and contributes to customer satisfaction.
Carrying out a supplier audit
A supplier audit is a quality audit that focuses on reviewing a supplier's processes, systems and quality standards. It ensures that the supplier meets the specified requirements and helps to identify potential risks in the supply chain at an early stage.
Practical example: Audit of a new supplier
1. audit planning:
A company plans to commission a new supplier for mechanical components. The purchasing manager defines the objectives: checking production quality and delivery reliability. An audit date is agreed and a team of quality managers and purchasers is selected.
2. audit performance:
Production processes are inspected on site, employees are interviewed and documentation such as test reports and certifications are checked. Particular attention is paid to the implementation of ISO 9001 standards.
3. audit assessment:
The information collected is compared with the company's own quality requirements. It is determined that the supplier does not have regular maintenance plans for machines, which poses a risk to product quality.
4th audit report:
All results are documented. The supplier is informed of the identified deficiencies and given recommendations for improvement measures. A follow-up audit is agreed in three months to check implementation.
This audit enables the company to ensure that the new supplier meets the quality standards and at the same time establishes a basis for a long-term and trusting business relationship.
Evaluation and strategic findings on supplier audits
✓ Critical success factors
→ Audit expertise: Qualified auditors with technical and process expertise are crucial for meaningful results
→ Standardized processes: Standardized evaluation criteria and documented audit procedures ensure comparability
→ Sustainable implementation: consistent follow-up of the agreed improvement measures through structured monitoring
⚠ Challenges and limitations
→ Resource expenditure: High time and personnel expenditure for thorough audits, especially for international suppliers
→ Cultural barriers: Different understandings of quality and business practices in different countries
→ Snapshot: Audit only shows a snapshot in time, continuous quality assurance required
Future trends in audit management:
"Digitalization is revolutionizing auditing through remote audits and real-time monitoring."
→ Digital audit tools with AI-supported risk detection
→ Hybrid audit formats (on-site + remote)
→ Integration of ESG criteria in standard audits
→ Blockchain-based audit trails
◆ Strategic implications
→ Risk management: early detection of quality risks enables proactive action
→ Supplier development: audits as the basis for targeted development programs and partnerships
→ Competitive advantage: demonstrably high quality standards strengthen market position
Conclusion on supplier evaluation
Quality audits are indispensable instruments of modern supplier management. They not only enable the systematic evaluation and development of suppliers, but also make a significant contribution to risk minimization and quality assurance throughout the entire supply chain. By integrating digital technologies and standardized processes, audits are becoming increasingly efficient and meaningful. Success lies in the consistent follow-up of results and partnership-based cooperation with suppliers.
