Describe the purpose of internal audits in quality management.

The purpose of internal audits in quality management is to evaluate the effectiveness of the quality management system and ensure compliance with established standards. Internal audits serve as a systematic examination of a company's quality processes and policies, helping to identify any deviations from the accepted standards and providing insight into areas that may require improvement.

These audits are crucial for maintaining a high standard of quality management since they help organizations proactively detect issues before they escalate into larger problems. By ensuring that processes are being followed as planned, internal audits promote consistency and reliability in product and service quality. They also help to confirm compliance with both internal policies and external regulations, which is essential for maintaining certification and avoiding penalties.

This focus on the quality management system differentiates internal audits from other functions. While assessing employee job performance is valuable for human resources, measuring customer satisfaction is more related to market feedback, and evaluating marketing strategies targets business growth, none of these directly align with the core function of an internal audit in quality management.