Detailed Explanation:
The correct answer is B. Notify senior management of the audit results.
Because the findings came from an external audit and relate directly to the operation of the quality system, the first responsibility of the quality manager is to ensure that senior management is informed. Quality system issues identified by external auditors may have broad organizational implications, including compliance, customer confidence, certification risk, and resource needs. Management must be aware of the results before corrective structures and resource commitments are formally established.
This is the best first step because:
senior management has ultimate responsibility for the quality system,
audit findings may require leadership decisions, resources, or prioritization,
and formal management awareness is necessary before system-wide corrective actions are launched.
Why the other options are incorrect:
A. Form separate action teams to resolve each of the identified problems
Action teams may be appropriate later, but management should first be informed of the findings.
C. Recommend changes to the quality system that will prevent the recurrence of these problems
Recommendations are important, but they should follow formal management awareness and review of the audit results.
D. Request support from middle management on correcting the findings
Middle management support may be needed during implementation, but this is not the first step after an external quality system audit.
Quality Management Excellence reference basis:
This answer aligns with Quality Management Excellence principles of:
leadership accountability,
formal escalation of significant system issues,
and management ownership of system-level corrective action.
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