Benefits of Quality Audits
I have conducted audits since 2007 across various standards but most of my work now is within the disability sector for NDIS audits. Over this period, my experience with clients has revealed that organisations undergo audits for varied reasons:
- Supplier condition e.g., quality, occupational health and safety, or environmental
- Funding body or regulator condition of registration – National Standards for Disability Services, NDIS, Quality Assurance Framework (QAF), Human Services Standards (Victoria)
- Voluntary – an organisation recognises the key benefits from implementing systems that can help it to achieve its customer’s and business objectives.
One of the fundamental concepts of quality management is that an organisation that is focused on quality, promotes a culture resulting in the behaviour, attitudes, activities and processes that enhance customer experience and satisfaction. Have you really thought about quality improvement and how it can support your organisation?
The attitude of an organisation towards quality management and audits has a direct relationship to the audit outcomes. Questions to consider include:
- What do you want to get from the audit process? A value-adding approach to your business, or a rubber stamp approach?
- How do you prepare for an audit? Do you do the bare minimum of work and hope for the best? Or do you take a planned approach and ensure that your organisation has developed and implemented systems and processes that drive improvement, innovation, business growth and quality of services?
- Are you open to feedback that can help you to improve your systems, services, and customer satisfaction?
- Have you done everything needed for a successful audit?
- Is your business audit ready all the time? Or do you face the prospect of an all-nighter just to be ready for the audit team when they walk in the door?
- What do you know about your chosen auditor? Do they have an approach that suits you? And are their auditors professional, competent, and experienced in the standards being audited?
- Do you have a budget for the audit? Have you factored in the audit cost as a cost of doing business? It is tempting to accept the cheapest quote for your audit, but when it comes to quality audits, you really do get what you pay for.
At Quantum we support our clients through the audit journey. Establishing a relationship with our clients is a key element of our audit approach and how we do business. Our extensive experience in the human services and disability sectors ensures that Quantum provides its clients with a value-adding and value-for-money audit.
If you are looking for a high-quality audit service, from an Approved Quality Auditor that really understands the disability sector and want to know more, contact Quantum at info@quantumcs.com.au or call us on 03 5229 1219.