Certified Quality Auditor (CQA) Prasctice Exam

Which term best describes a systematic examination of a process?

1. Inspection

2. Audit

3. Analysis

4. Review

The correct answer is: Audit

The term that best describes a systematic examination of a process is "Audit." An audit involves a thorough and methodical evaluation of processes, systems, or organizations to determine compliance with established standards and to assess the effectiveness of processes. This includes gathering and evaluating evidence, understanding the processes involved, and assessing the controls in place. Audits can be internal or external and focus not only on compliance but also on identifying areas for improvement. They provide insights into the effectiveness of quality management systems, ensuring that processes are functioning as intended and meet the required standards. While inspection, analysis, and review can all involve examining processes, they do not encompass the same degree of systematic evaluation and thoroughness that an audit entails. Inspection often focuses on assessing quality or conformity at a specific point in time, while analysis might involve breaking down processes for better understanding but does not necessarily entail a formal evaluation. A review generally refers to a more informal examination without the formal requirements of an audit.