A proposed audit pattern for the shop-floor processes in TQM, Lean Six Sigma and ISO 9001 environments

The main objective of this paper is to investigate how a group of companies, which are committed to process improvement by means of Total Quality Management (TQM), Lean Six Sigma and ISO 9001, have developed an audit pattern for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of shop-floor processes. Interesting findings show a precise audit pattern based on seven categories. The categories describe the processes that should be audited and key elements related. Furthermore, the categories are related to auditors' skills, management of check-lists and scheduling, internal communication and reporting to management. This pattern is compared with the more formal audit pattern used for evaluating compliance with the ISO 9001 standard. The found pattern is particularly suitable for production consultants and managers who want to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of processes as well as audit managers. This research proposes an original and novel way for improving business performances through shop-floor audits.