Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1221561
MARCH 2020 I PCB007 MAGAZINE 81 • Closed-loop follow-up audit for findings • Develop procedure-specific audits • Integrate common system-level questions into every audit • Audit employees' ability to recite the quality policy and battle cry • Audit line workers, not supervisors (supervisor can assist but not answer for employees) Conclusion It is my desire that as we work through the various strategies, techniques, and tactics pre- sented throughout this series, you will appreci- ate that these are tried-and-true, practical ap- plications and lessons learned over the course of my career that I hope you will find some value in. PCB007 Steve Williams is the president of The Right Approach Consulting. To read past columns or contact Williams, click here. Guerrilla Tactic 4: Internal Audit Strategy Williams' Law 4 Find your own dirty laundry. While a robust internal audit system is a bit of a given in a good quality program, there are some strategies that, if employed, will provide a number of intangible benefits during any quality systems audit. It is easy for the management rep- resentative or department supervisor to have all the right answers, so encouraging auditors and customers to interact with the employees doing the job will demonstrate the strength and com- petency of the workforce and the quality system. The internal audit program should be used to help condition employees to be comfortable in this situation. For example: • Audit trainer should be formally "lead-assessor" trained • No "conflict of interest" auditing (you cannot audit your own process) • Train auditors to "see as the customer sees" • Complete system cycle every six months (calibrate with six-month surveillance audits) Taiyo's Solder Mask Developments Pete Starkey and Don Monn, Midwest regional sales director at Taiyo America Inc., discuss progress with the establishment of inkjet solder mask as a production reality, now with OEM approvals. Don also addresses the development of crack-resistant white solder mask and new screen-printable formulations with very high thermal conductivity. Click on the image to view this video.