This thread starter is an overflow from the Threads located at http://elsmar.com/Forums/showthread.php?t=11383 internal auditing of individuals
http://elsmar.com/Forums/showthread.php?t=7678 Auditing the task elements (aka: The Process Approach) and, http://elsmar.com/Forums/showthread.php?t=11365 Auditing - at the dawn of opportunity.

I firmly believe there is a current chasm between the definitions and practices of "Auditing" in its present format and "Assessment" in relation to the process approach.
I have often replied to posts at the Cove regarding standards, processes and auditing as being a set of skills, tools and techniques that indeed exist out with global standards such as ISO.
Does the group have input and feedback regarding their particular approach to assessments rather than ISO type auditing?
I hope I've not opened a can of worms yet, this thread and the questions that may arise may be very constructive to the group.
Wallace.

I'll offer some views from the accreditation world.....

We call external audits assessments. For us, it is more than a process approach, it is a wholistic approach, in that the QMS is only have the assessment.....the technical operations compose the other half. Actually, more than half.

Hope this helps.

Hershal

I initially got so creeped out by my impressions of the shift-long, single-person audit question that I didn't see it for what it turns out to be.

Assessments of performance to a standard within a process are perfectly fine, of course. It is good to find out if personnel are very aware of everything they need to know, perform properly and are supplied all they require to do the job as planned.

Human assessments can be tricky, though. An auditor might struggle with gray areas when assessing human performance.

We use rubrics in education, where performance criteria are clearly described and the differences between "not there", "there" and "almost there" are plain and will withstand argument. Here's an example. http://www.asccxe.wpafb.af.mil/Robotics/Robot%20Documents/Rubric%20-%20Technical%20Assessment.pdf

Some people think making rubrics is a lot of work. For some it would be, but I cringe from subjectivity in assessments so I develop tools that will help. Once you have them set up in tables or on spreadsheets, minor changes are simple.

Let me know if there is a particular technical aspect or performance area of interest, and I can research appropriate measures for it and provide a better rubric example.

Any takers on this thread, It seems it died without getting off its feet.
I believe this thread would certainly do well with input from ISO auditors and process assessors alike. :rolleyes:
Wallace.