It seems ther may be auditing software for TS 16949 audits. Is there some I can try without buying? Is there a site where basic word or excel docs can be found, modified and utilised?

It seems ther may be auditing software for TS 16949 audits. Is there some I can try without buying? Is there a site where basic word or excel docs can be found, modified and utilised?

ANy "canned" software that might exist for internal auditing should be avoided, imo. It's bound to be based on auditing against the standard, and you need to be auditing via the process approach.

ANy "canned" software that might exist for internal auditing should be avoided, imo. It's bound to be based on auditing against the standard, and you need to be auditing via the process approach. :agree:
If I may expand on that just a bit. More than just auditing on the process approach, the audit needs to be based on YOUR particular processes. I seriously doubt you can find any canned software that can/will reflect your process inputs, outputs, controls, metrics or any other factors that you need to audit.

Jim and db are right, but the question didn't clarify if it's about performing the audits or what.

In any case, this site has oodles of adaptable attachments that might help, and most are in Word. They can be found via the Search function (see the blue tool bar, yellow font) and the Post Attachments List (green button in the header). You might first view the suggested related threads at the bottom of this page.

Jim and db are right, but the question didn't clarify if it's about performing the audits or what.
You are quite right Jennifer. There is a lot of software out there that deal with audit administration (scheduling, tracking CARS, and the like). In that light, I'm not sure of any that have a free trial basis, or anything like that.

ANy "canned" software that might exist for internal auditing should be avoided, imo. It's bound to be based on auditing against the standard, and you need to be auditing via the process approach.

Good advice, Jim!

Most software packages I've utilized - when performing audits for clients who'd purchased these systems - for more bureacracy on the audit system that is good for either the auditor or the auditee. That, in turn, forces more time to be spent at a computer, than actually doing the audit and, as a result, the effectiveness is lower - in my experience.

Rarely have I encountered software developed by someone who could manipulate code to make an effective tool for an auitor - in more cases than I can remember, it's been a software person who's read the ISO standards and been to an auditor class (for real!) and the product does just as Jim W describes.

Save your money, find some nice forms here at the Cove and get some #2 pencils. Your boss will be delighted!

Existing related discussion threads: TS 16949 Checklists (http://Elsmar.com/Forums/search.php?do=process&titleonly=1&query=16949+checklist)

TS 16949 Check Lists (http://Elsmar.com/Forums/search.php?do=process&titleonly=1&query=16949+check+list)

Data File: TS 16949 Checklist (http://elsmar.com/Forums/showpost.php?p=85498&postcount=12)

Data Files: Various Checklists (http://elsmar.com/Forums/fileslist.php?mode=docs&sortby=filename&pageamt=2&criteria=checklist)