The following is a glossary of internal auditing-related terms. These terms and
definitions were gathered from a variety of resources. If you wish to make additions,
deletions, or changes, please let us know. Thank-you for using internal-auditor.com.
| Adequacy |
Used in QS-9000. Indicates the intent of the
standard has been bet, given the scope of the supplier's operation. |
| Baldrige Award |
Malcolm Baldridge National Quality Award: An annual award given to a
United States company that excels in quality management and quality achievement. [Same as MBNA.] |
| Cause and Effect Diagram |
A problem-solving tool that uses a graphic description of the various process elements to analyze potential sources of variation, or
problems. [Same as Fishbone Diagram, or Ishikawa
Diagram] |
| Conformance |
The ability of a product or service to meet stated requirement. |
| Continuous Improvement |
Action taken to find ways in improve processes,
decrease variation , decrease costs, and improve effectiveness of the organization. |
| Control Plans |
Written descriptions of the systems for controlling parts and processes. Sometimes called quality plans. |
| Corrective Action |
Action(s) designed to identify and eliminate root
causes of non-conformances and non-conformities. |
| Fishbone Diagram |
A problem-solving tool that uses a graphic description of the various process elements to analyze potential sources of variation , or
problems. [Same as Cause and Effect Diagram, or Ishikawa Diagram] |
| FMEA |
Failure Mode Effects Analysis: An analytical technique used to assure that
potential failure modes and associated causes have been considered and addressed. [See
PFMEA] |
| Histogram |
A problem solving/statistical tool used to measure central tendencies and
dispersion. |
| Ishikawa Diagram |
A problem-solving tool that uses a graphic description of the various process elements to analyze potential sources of variation , or
problems. [Same as Cause and Effect DiagramCause and Effect Diagram, or Fishbone Diagram] |
| ISO |
A group of global standards maintained by the International Organization
for Standardization. |
| ISO 10011 |
A family of ISO standards that apply to quality audits and auditors. |
| ISO 8402 |
ISO standard that standardizes quality management and quality assurance
vocabulary. |
| ISO 9000 |
A family of ISO standards that apply to quality management and quality assurance
. Specifically, quality systems. |
| MBNA |
Malcolm Baldridge National Quality Award: An annual award given to a
United States company that excels in quality management and
quality achievement. [Same as Baldrige Award.] |
| Non-Conformance |
Product or material which does not conform to the customer specifications
and/or requirements. Sometimes used interchangeably with non-conformity. |
| Non-Conforming Product |
Product which does not conform to the customer specifications and/or
requirements. Same as Non-Conformance. |
| Non-Conformity |
Nonfulfilment of a specified requirement. Sometimes used interchangeably
with non-conformance. |
| Objective Evidence |
Used in quality audits, objective evidence is
information which can be proven true, based on facts obtained through observation,
measurement, test or other means. |
| PFMEA |
Process Failure Mode Effects Analysis: An analytical technique used to
assure that potential process failure modes and associated
causes have been considered and addressed. [See FMEA] |
| Preventive Action |
Action(s) designed to prevent the occurrence of non-conformances, or non-conformities. |
| Process |
Combination of people, equipment, materials, methods, and environment that
produce output. |
| QS-9000 |
A set of quality requirements , based on ISO 9000,
used by the American domestic automobile manufacturers to register their suppliers. |
| Quality |
The ability of a product, or service, to meet customer requirements, both
stated and unstated. |
| Quality Assurance |
All the planned and systematic activities implemented within the quality systems to provide adequate confidence the
requirements for quality will be met. |
| Quality Audit |
A systematic and independent examination to determine quality related
activities are implemented effectively and comply with the quality
systems and/or quality standards. |
| Quality Circle |
A group of individuals who share job responsibilities, that work together
to solve quality problems. |
| Quality Control |
The process by which actual product or service performance is measured and
compared with a standard, and action is taken to eliminate any non-conformances |
| Quality Management |
The planned actions taken to ensure the effective implementation of an
organization's quality systems. |
| Quality Manual |
A document stating the quality policy and describing the quality systems of an organization. |
| Quality System |
Organizational structure, procedures, processes
and resources required to implement quality management . |
| Random Sampling |
The process of selecting units for a sample of size, so that all units
have an equal chance of being selected as the sample. In auditing, it refers to how we
obtain objective evidence. |
| Root Cause |
The lowest level cause of a failure, or variation in a product, component,
or process . |
| Root Cause Analysis |
Using one or more various tools to determine the root
cause of a specific failure. |
| Surveillance Audit |
A post-registration quality audits to ensure
the quality systems is still effectively implemented
and continuous improvement is evident. |
| TQM |
Total Quality Management: A management approach of an organization
centered on quality. |
| Traceability |
The ability to trace a product back through the process
, and identify all sub-processes, components, and equipment that were involved in its
manufacture. |
| Verification |
Establishing proof that a design, product, or process
is within specifications. |
