What is the primary goal of a quality audit?

The primary goal of a quality audit is to provide independent and unbiased information about the effectiveness and efficiency of an organization's quality management system. This includes evaluating whether the established processes are being followed and whether they lead to the desired outcomes. By remaining impartial, a quality audit helps identify areas for improvement, nonconformities, and potential risks, which can then be addressed to enhance overall quality performance.

In contrast, while ensuring compliance with governmental regulations is important, it is not the sole focus of a quality audit. Quality audits extend beyond mere compliance to encompass a broader assessment of quality processes. Evaluating financial performance and assessing employee satisfaction are related to business operations but fall outside the primary objectives of a quality audit, which centers on quality management systems and processes rather than financial metrics or employee sentiment.