How do you integrate quality audits with risk and change management in Mechanical Engineering?

1 Quality audit planning and preparation

The first step to integrate quality audits with risk and change management is to plan and prepare them properly. This means that you need to define the scope, objectives, criteria, and methods of the audits, as well as the roles and responsibilities of the auditors and the auditees. You also need to align the audit plan with the project plan, the quality management plan, and the risk management plan. This will help you to identify the key areas, processes, and deliverables to audit, as well as the potential risks and changes that may affect them. By planning and preparing the quality audits in advance, you can ensure that they are relevant, effective, and efficient.

2 Quality audit execution and reporting

The next step to integrate quality audits with risk and change management is to execute and report them according to the plan. This means that you need to follow the audit procedures, collect and analyze the audit evidence, and document the audit findings and recommendations. You also need to communicate the audit results to the relevant stakeholders, such as the project manager, the client, the sponsor, and the team members. You need to highlight the strengths and weaknesses of the project performance, as well as the opportunities and threats for improvement. By executing and reporting the quality audits in a timely and transparent manner, you can provide valuable feedback and insights for your projects.

3 Quality audit follow-up and verification

The final step to integrate quality audits with risk and change management is to follow-up and verify the audit outcomes. This means that you need to monitor and track the implementation of the audit recommendations, as well as the resolution of the audit issues and nonconformities. You also need to evaluate the impact of the audit actions on the project quality, risk, and change management. You need to measure the effectiveness of the corrective and preventive measures, as well as the benefits and costs of the changes. By following-up and verifying the quality audits in a systematic and continuous way, you can ensure that they lead to positive changes and improvements for your projects.

4 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?