A Digital Management Framework for Accreditation Audit Excellence: Enhancing Coordination, Accountability, and Continuous Improvement in Academic Institutions

Abstract

Accreditation audits are vital for ensuring quality and accountability in higher education, yet many institutions struggle with coordination, documentation, and timely readiness. This study introduces a Digital Management Framework that transforms manual audit practices into a structured, transparent system. This study introduces an innovative, institution-tested Digital Management Framework, uniquely designed to integrate low-cost digital tools into accreditation preparation for Malaysian TVET institutions. Implemented at a Malaysian community college preparing for MBOT accreditation, the framework integrates four accessible digital tools: an Excel-based Gantt chart, progress dashboard, Telegram communication group, and a centralized Quality Assurance Unit (QAU) repository. Progress was monitored through checkpoints at 20%, 40%, 60%, and 100% completion. Results showed significant improvements in coordination, documentation accuracy, and communication efficiency while reducing redundant work and administrative delays. The framework proved that low-cost digital integration can strengthen audit readiness and foster accountability without major technological investment. Scalable to various accreditation system. Unlike conventional accreditation systems that rely on manual coordination, this framework demonstrates how accessible technologies can deliver structured, transparent, and scalable audit readiness.