Editor’s note: This is a long article with lots of data… interesting data in our opinion. If the argument over the skills gap or STEM education interests you, this is worth reading.

Every quality manager is familiar with internal audits, a systemic check of all company departments to verify that they are following established procedures. Most department heads are also familiar with internal audits.

They say the world is getting smaller all the time. Tell that to your supply chain manager.

Many of us have heard horror stories about ISO certificates that were fakes, or of medical-device quality system audits being performed by persons who were not competent.