Time to Rethink How QMS Audit Duration Is Determined

QMS audit times are still determined by a method that has failed to keep pace with the process approach and how audits are conducted today.

Looking Back at the Mistakes That Led ISO 900x to ‘Audit Theater’

The ISO 900x series is widely viewed as a way to improve how organizations operate, yet it can instead encourage what critics call “audit theater”, where passing an audit becomes more important than actual capability. 

ISO 9001 As a Solid Base for Meeting AQAP Requirements

Organizations that need to meet NATO’s Allied Quality Assurance Publications (AQAP) requirements for defense contracts already have a solid head start if they are certified to ISO 9001.

How to Adapt as More Quality Roles Merge into HSEQ

Quality professionals looking for their next role may need to adjust their job search as more employers combine quality, safety and environmental responsibilities into a single position.

The ‘ISO Paradox’: Certification Looks Like a Cost Until Its Practical Value Becomes Clear

Companies can pursue ISO certification as an unwanted expense, only to realize later that the management system they built has made the business work better.

If It's Only 'Between the Lines,' It's Not a Standard Requirement

Requirements should come from the standard itself, not from what is 'between the lines', argues Yasushi Tsukano, IATF Lead Auditor / IRCA Principal Auditor.

How Well Do Internal Auditors Need to Know the Standard?

Internal auditors do not always need to know every requirement of a management system standard.

Employee Engagement Benefits Backed by More Than Common Sense

The idea that engaged employees produce better quality and business results may seem like common sense, but Michael Mills asks whether it stands up to evidence.

Asking Why After Years of Using ISO 9001

After years of working with ISO 9001, Ruslan Shman realized that many of its principles had become so familiar he no longer stopped to ask why they exist.

Don't Look for Root Causes Where Problems Appear

Problems are often investigated where they become visible, even though the real cause may lie much earlier in the process.

An Insider's Perspective on the Digital Future of Management System Auditing

As management system auditing enters the digital era, Sheronda Jeffries explains how ISO 19011:2026 helps auditors adapt to new technologies while reinforcing the importance of human judgment.

Moving From Quality Minimum to Business Excellence

Many quality functions succeed at keeping the business under control, but far fewer are designed to help it achieve business excellence / continual improvement.

Why Qualified Aerospace Auditors Are Becoming Harder to Find

A shortage of qualified aerospace lead auditors is becoming a growing challenge for AS9100 certification, Christopher Paris argues in an opinion article. 

AI Doesn't Change the Fundamentals of ISO 9001 Auditing

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in a quality management system (QMS) does not change the fundamentals of ISO 9001 auditing.

For Auditors, Adaptability Is as Important as Evaluating Systems

ISO auditing is not just about evaluating management systems.

Independent Oversight at Every Level Is What Gives ISO Certification Its Credibility

A "second pair of eyes" reviews every stage of accredited certification to ISO management system standards.

Auditors Face More Unpaid Work as SMETA 7.0 Reporting Demands Grow

Growing reporting expectations under SMETA 7.0 are leaving auditors with more uncompensated work.

Three Strengths Every Manufacturing Quality Manager Needs

Finding the right Quality Manager has become one of manufacturing's toughest hiring challenges because the role requires a combination of strengths that are rarely found in one person.

Using Auditor Judgment to Target the Underlying System Failure

Auditor judgment does not end with identifying a nonconformity. It also shapes how auditors determine which standard requirement best reflects the evidence.

Audit Programs Should Focus on Risks, Not Just Schedules

An effective audit program should focus on the risks that matter most, not simply ensure every area is audited according to plan.

Proving Certification of Person Value Requires Better Evidence

The demand for evidence showing the real-world value of certifications is growing, but certification bodies often lack data on what happens after individuals earn their credentials. 

When Optimization Starts to Undermine Resilience

Systems that perform exceptionally well under normal conditions can become difficult to change when circumstances shift.

Same Standards, Different Lessons Across U.S. States

Auditing organizations across U.S. states can vary considerably, sometimes to the point of feeling like auditing different countries. 

The Most Frustrating Quality Work Often Teaches the Most

The tasks nobody clearly owns are often the ones that reveal how organizations really function and provide some of the biggest opportunities for professional growth.