Which function do process audits primarily serve?

Process audits primarily serve to ensure standardized quality practices within an organization. This function is crucial as it involves systematically examining various processes to verify that they are being executed according to established procedures and standards. By conducting these audits, organizations can identify areas where practices may deviate from the intended processes, which helps maintain consistency and quality across operations.

Standardization is a cornerstone of quality management, as it enables organizations to reduce variability, increase efficiency, and foster a culture of continuous improvement. Through regular process audits, any non-conformities or inefficiencies can be detected early, allowing for timely interventions to improve quality and align activities with organizational goals.

In contrast, while identifying low-performing employees and developing corrective actions can be important aspects of organizational performance management, these are not the primary focuses of process audits. Similarly, a focus on finding non-compliant products is more aligned with product quality audits rather than process audits, which specifically examine adherence to process standards rather than the quality of the end products directly.