Continuous improvement is not just about changing for the sake of changing. It is about reviewing what you do from feedback, lessons, activities and your own internal audit. We do it all the time. We update our RTO tools, policies, procedures, templates when we get feedback. We change strategies to create efficiency and we continue to learn new ways. We are continually improving.
Continuous improvement is fundamental in your RTO operations. It is the core to your business and is about understanding what are the lessons learnt; if they worked – why and could you do it better? Or why and how can it be improved?
As an RTO applying for initial registration you will have the auditor review your systems to ensure you appear to be able to operate. You also will need to demonstrate you have plans in place for the constant monitoring of the RTO environment. As an RTO already in operation undergoing a audit you will need to demonstrate that the plans you said you would do are actually being undertaken. Whilst an internal audit is not prescribed in the SNR, it is a very useful way of reviewing your systems. An internal audit is concerned with identifying how well risks are managed including whether the right processes are in place, and whether agreed procedures are being adhered to.
Quality and compliance people know there is nothing better than having all your systems in place, and a check (internal audit) completed to show it has been done, when a notice of an impending audit is received.
For more information on how to become an RTO go to http://www.becomeanrto.com