Timing is a crucial factor in a quality audit plan because it ensures systematic evaluation and continuous improvement at critical points throughout the project lifecycle. Well-timed audits help in:
Early identification of quality issues before they escalate.
Ensuring compliance with contractual and regulatory standards.
Providing feedback for corrective actions at appropriate intervals.
Aligning audit schedules with project phases (design, construction, and handover).
Option A (Aligning with project milestones only): While audits should consider milestones, they should also be conducted regularly, not just at predefined phases.
Option C (Scheduling software updates): This is unrelated to quality auditing, which focuses on construction processes.
Option D (Planning annual general meetings): AGM scheduling is not part of quality audit planning.
Why Other Options Are Incorrect:According to ISO 19011 (Guidelines for Auditing Management Systems), quality audits must be timely and structured to ensure continuous monitoring and corrective actions.
ISO 19011:2018 – Specifies best practices for planning and conducting quality audits.
ISO 9001:2015 Clause 9.2 – Defines internal audit frequency and scope.
DOE O 414.1D – Requires timely quality assurance audits in construction projects.
ASQ Construction Quality Management (CQM) ReferencesThus, the best answer is B: It ensures effective monitoring at appropriate intervals.
