Why Is the Quality Manager Not the Only Person Responsible for Quality?
A customer complaint arrives. Process performance falls below target. An audit identifies a nonconformity. In many organizations, everyone immediately turns to the Quality…
You Found the Gaps – How to Turn Audit Findings into Everyday Readiness
The audit is over. Your organization has received the report, and the findings have been entered into a tracker with owners and deadlines….
Audit Readiness – How to Identify Gaps Before the Auditor Does
Audit readiness often becomes a priority only when the audit date is already approaching. Suddenly, the FMEA needs updating. Someone starts checking for…
VDA 6.8 – Supply Chain Process Audit
In May 2024, the new standard VDA 6.8 – Supply Chain Process Audit was introduced. Developed by the German Association of the Automotive…
ISO/DIS 9001 Is Out: What’s Really Changing—and What You Should Do Now
On 27 August 2025 the Draft International Standard (DIS) for ISO 9001 (ISO/DIS 9001)was published, opening a formal 12-week ballot and comment period…
Gemba walk – we invite you to “the real place”
First of all, most people do not know what Gemba walk means, unless you’ve worked in Japanese manufacturing or are a keen student…
Quality policy – how to write it effectively?
The quality policy is the most important document in the quality management system of every organization. Organizations certifying their quality management systems for…
How to prepare for the audit? – a question to 3rd party auditor
The automotive industry is very demanding: it is necessary to ensure “high” quality of products with on time delivery, focusing on continuous improvement…
IATF auditor ’s hints – before they will audit you!
The automotive industry is very demanding. It is necessary to ensure “high” quality of products with on time delivery, focusing on continuous improvement…
Documented information – requirements in quality management system
Organizations certified for compliance with ISO 9001 certainly know very well the requirements of clause 7.5 “Documented information”. It is the essence of…
Statutory and regulatory requirements in IATF 16949:2016
Recently, I have devoted a little more attention to statutory and regulatory requirements as part of ensuring compliance with legal requirements and product…
Processes – what is not discussed and is extremely important
When designing a process, we usually think about specific requirements set for it, for example, under the ISO 9001: 2015 standard. It defines…