Course dates: January 8, 10, 15, 17, 22, 24 & 29, 2024
2:00-5:00pm (EST) each day

Course Description
The Certified Quality Auditor (CQA) is a professional who understands the standards and principles of auditing and the auditing techniques of examining, questioning, evaluating, and reporting to determine a quality system’s adequacy and deficiencies. The CQA analyzes all elements of a quality system and judges its degree of adherence to the criteria of industrial management and quality evaluation and control systems.

Through discussion, review, and practice, attendees in this course will become thoroughly familiar with the complete CQA Body of Knowledge (BoK). Class discussions include an in-depth overview of the exam process, along with the rationales for correct answers. Sample test questions and answers offer participants a better understanding of the basic principles and applications that will appear on the exam.

This intensive course is designed to quickly and efficiently give students the information, skills, strategies, and techniques to successfully prepare to sit for the ASQ CQA exam offered 4 times a year.

*Taking this course does not constitute or imply the successful passing of the ASQ CQA exam. Participants will need to study the course material and practice questions outside of class.

Who Should Attend
This course is designed for individuals involved with quality auditing, those who support the auditing functions within an organization, and those looking to achieve their ASQ CQA certification.

Learning Objectives
Through training, participants will learn the following:

• Understand the CQA BoK
• Be prepared to sit for and pass the CQA exam
• Understand audit fundamentals, audit processes, auditor competencies, audit program management for business application, and quality tools and techniques

Course Outline

Module I: Auditing Fundamentals

• Basic Terms and Concepts
• Purpose of Audits
• Types of Audits
• Audit Criteria
• Roles and Responsibilities of Audit Participants
• Ethical, Legal, and Professional Issues

Module II: Audit Process

• Audit Preparation and Planning
• Audit Performance
• Audit Reporting
• Audit Follow-up and Closure

Module III: Auditor Competencies

• Auditor Characteristics
• Resource Management
• Conflict Resolution
• Communication Techniques
• Interviewing Techniques
• Team Member Roles, Leadership, and Facilitation

Module IV: Audit Program and Business Applications

• Audit Program Management
• Business Applications

Module V: Quality Tools and Techniques

• Basic Quality and Problem-Solving Tools
• Process Improvement Techniques
• Basic Statistics
• Sampling Methods
• Process Variation and Process Performance Metrics
• Cost of Quality
• Verification and Validation
• Risk Management Tools

Module VI:  Review of Sample Case Studies

Module VII:  General Exam Information, Test Taking Tips, and Practice Test

Prerequisites
Prior knowledge of quality and auditing is recommended as this course is designed as a review of the subject areas needed for the ASQ CQA exam.

Course Format
21 hours
Combination lecture/discussion and individual/group work sessions
Available virtually, at QSG’s training facilities, or on-site at your organization

Course Instructor
Albert F. Scorza – Senior QMS Consultant, Automotive, Aerospace