What are the most effective ways to use quality auditing to drive social impact?

2 How to audit social impact

Auditing social impact is a process that varies depending on the context, scope, and objectives of the audit, as well as the standards and frameworks that are relevant and applicable. Generally, it involves defining the purpose and scope of the audit, selecting criteria and indicators for evaluation, planning and conducting the audit, and reporting and following up on it. When defining the purpose of the audit, consider what questions or issues you want to address, what boundaries or limitations exist, and who are the stakeholders and beneficiaries. When selecting criteria and indicators, think about standards or benchmarks to evaluate social impact, as well as quantitative or qualitative measures to collect and analyze. As for planning and conducting the audit, plan how you will gather information, verify it, communicate with auditees and other parties, and utilize methods and tools. Lastly, for reporting and following up on the audit, document findings and conclusions in a report with recommendations for action. Additionally, monitor implementation progress and evaluate results.

3 What skills do you need

To be an effective quality auditor for social impact, you need a combination of technical and soft skills. Technically, you should be familiar with quality management principles and practices, such as ISO 9001, PDCA cycle, and risk-based thinking. Additionally, you should have knowledge of social impact assessment methods and frameworks, such as Social Return on Investment (SROI), Theory of Change (TOC), and Impact Management Project (IMP). You should also be able to design, conduct, and report audits using appropriate tools and techniques, such as checklists, interviews, surveys, and case studies. Additionally, you should be able to analyze and interpret data using statistical and qualitative methods like descriptive and inferential statistics, thematic analysis, and triangulation. Soft skills-wise, you should have strong communication and interpersonal skills to establish rapport with auditees and stakeholders. Critical thinking and problem-solving skills are also important to identify gaps in social impact. Ethical and professional skills are necessary to uphold the integrity of the audit. Finally, learning and development skills are essential to keep up with the latest trends in quality management and social impact.

4 How to advance your career

If you are interested in pursuing or advancing your career as a quality auditor for social impact, there are several ways that you can enhance your skills and credentials. For instance, you can get certified by a recognized body such as the American Society for Quality (ASQ), the Chartered Quality Institute (CQI), or the International Register of Certificated Auditors (IRCA). Additionally, joining a professional network or association like the Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN), the Social Value International (SVI), or the International Society for Quality in Health Care (ISQua) can provide resources, events, and opportunities for learning and collaboration. It is also beneficial to seek mentorship or coaching from an experienced quality auditor for social impact, who can offer guidance, advice, and feedback on your career development and goals. Lastly, volunteering or participating in social impact projects or initiatives within or outside of your organization can give you practical experience and exposure to different contexts and challenges.

5 How to make a difference

Quality auditing for social impact is not only a rewarding career path, but also a meaningful way to contribute to society. By applying your skills and knowledge to audit social impact, you can help organizations improve their performance and efficiency by aligning their processes and practices with their social mission and vision. This can also enhance their reputation and credibility by demonstrating accountability and transparency to customers, stakeholders, and regulators. Moreover, you can help organizations increase innovation and sustainability by identifying and addressing the needs of their beneficiaries and communities. Ultimately, quality auditing for social impact can create positive change and value by delivering products and services that improve the well-being of people and the planet.