Just curious about how your co. the month before a surveillence audit.
Cool as a cucumber? or Nervous as a cat?

James

I think there was more nervousness before the Pre-audit than the final audit. Being this was our first go-round, nobody had an idea of what to expect. The only preparation they had were examples I was given and stories from other companies. After the pre-audit went well, everyone seemed to cool down and found out that we go through worse audits with DCAA so this was a cakewalk.

Can't really vote yet, but I get to be in the office when the RABQSA makes its next visit so I'll watch when I can...of course I'm being audited at the same time on my delivery of a Lead Auditor course :(

Cool as a cucumber? or Nervous as a cat?Very cool, actually. Not quite cucumber status, but close.

A month before the audit: -Audit? What audit?
A week before the audit: -Will they come to see me? Ok, when? let me check my schedule...
A day before the audit: -What do you think they'll ask me about?
During the audit: -Let's get this over with...
A day after the audit: -How did we do?
A month after the audit: -Audit? What audit?

/Claes

The only audit that I've been in where everyone was running around like a cat in a vacuum factory was prior to the company's first FDA audit. There's something about the fact that they can shut you down that tends to get the adrenaline pumping. Compared to that, ISO seems like a walk in the park. (Then again, I got absolutely drilled by an auditor once, so that must have been Central Park).

I worked as an external director for the QMS for a metal testing lab for the last 7 years. We suffered through a variety of external assessments - ISO, accreditation, environmental, customer, etc.

We basically knew when the audits were scheduled and worked out internal audits and refresher training into the 30 days prior to an audit. I was nervous since I know assessors don't always think or have an imagination - Some are too strict or have outdated thinking. The quality team, on the other hand, were always very confident. I guess that was a good balance since we never had any real problems.

The only audit that I've been in where everyone was running around like a cat in a vacuum factory....

My not that's a vivid image :lmao:

James

Very cool, actually. Not quite cucumber status, but close.

A month before the audit: -Audit? What audit?
A week before the audit: -Will they come to see me? Ok, when? let me check my schedule...
A day before the audit: -What do you think they'll ask me about?
During the audit: -Let's get this over with...
A day after the audit: -How did we do?
A month after the audit: -Audit? What audit?

/Claes

Good description, this is about what it is like around here also.

I'd say Claes has it described pretty well.

I also agree with Claes, but I'll add another common response for one month before: "When is the audit so I can plan my vacation*".

*NOTE: They mean, not "around it", but "during it".

At my old company it was chickens with their heads cut off. MO they have missed the entire point of a QMS.