Problem identification method in certified quality management systems

The paper presents some assumptions of the problem identification method in certified quality management systems in which the results obtained by the third party audits find their application. The procedure of collecting and processing the information was defined. The method was tested in practice upon 270 and 892 organizations-the clients of two international certification bodies which have the largest contribution in the process of quality management systems certification in Poland. The results obtained during the testing procedure were presented with special attention paid to the possibilities of investigating both general and specific problems of the selected groups of organizations. An exemplary table of results and the analysis of their application for problem assessment in the systems were presented. Wide range of applications of the method was discussed. The method being considered as universal could find numerous applications in a variety of cases in Poland. Problem identification procedure could feature both quality and quantity approach. The method presented provides information which have been analyzed for its accuracy and objectivity. The method was then compared with other problem identification methods used at present.