We are scheduled for a surveillance audit on Sept 2nd in our Corporate office. Previous audit have been mainly conducted in other facilities so Top Management has not been through many thorough audits. I am planning a meeting/discussion to help make sure these people are prepared. I am planning a generic presentation based on questions which may be posed regarding the processes for which they are responsible and generating a group discussion with questions answers. Looking for suggestions? Suggested formats? How have other people handled? Thanks in advance

Maybe this will help...

Auditing the CEO (http://www.elsmar.com/Forums/showthread.php?t=9077)

We are scheduled for a surveillance audit on Sept 2nd in our Corporate office. Previous audit have been mainly conducted in other facilities so Top Management has not been through many thorough audits. I am planning a meeting/discussion to help make sure these people are prepared. I am planning a generic presentation based on questions which may be posed regarding the processes for which they are responsible and generating a group discussion with questions answers. Looking for suggestions? Suggested formats? How have other people handled? Thanks in advance

Besides the previous posted thread regarding good advice about section 5 of the standard, I would suggest that you be certain the persons involved with the audit from corporate understand and know the goals and objectives for the various factories. Same for any open corrective actions or preventive actions that may be in progress for perhaps not meeting certain quality objectives. Based on my experience, the external auditors are going to want to know that your top management is watching the big picture!

The auditors I have been with have also spent a lot of time discussing the Quality Policy with measureable objectives, the Quality Manual and Quality Planning.

All of this was to determine managements true commitment to the Quality System.

Look for an answer that would come out of this type of question.

"What can you personally do to prove to me that what you claim isn't a bunch of eyewash to provide a nice warm fuzzy?"

How about "It's time to pay attention to all those meeting discussions and e-mails you have been getting all along" :eek:

How about "It's time to pay attention to all those meeting discussions and e-mails you have been getting all along" :eek:


I like this, I think I will plan to bring all of them to the meeting on Friday so when I start hearing (and I know I will) "I was never told that" I can pull them out!!

I have to say. I have been going through these audits for awhile in my field operations, just not the corporate. I have to handle these guys wilth kid gloves unfortunately, and I was just wanting to see how some other people have done it. Today I have created a couple of pages of possible audit questions. I am going to send them to each person attending the meeting on Friday. I am requesting they come prepared to discuss the processes controlled by their departements and how they would provide evidence based on these questions. I will randomly ask to generate a group participation

Why do you feel that you need to coach top management in the audit process ?

Why do you feel that you need to coach top management in the audit process ?


Ever see the old Christmas Cartoon with all of the Toy's

"Land of the Misfits" Something wrong with every toy in the land, but somehow they all fit and worked well together. Pretty much what I am working with. Dont get me wrong. Lots of talent here, however, we have the old style Management of as long as it gets done fine, dont ask me to prove it later. Talk about a goal of Change Management. In process, but it is slow.

Being the little prankster I am, I used to enjoy making the big boys squirm in their seats as if they had a case of hemmoroids and jock itch at the same time :lmao: :nopity:

Most top exec's are sorely unprepared and overconfident when it comes to truly knowing what and how and when and who. This pretty much falls in line with my article on communication last month (please read and VOTE (hint, hint))

Help the poor dearies out!

:bigwave:You can pull the strings to make their mouths move while you speak.:cfingers::lol:

:bigwave:You can pull the strings to make their mouths move while you speak.:cfingers::lol:


I agree with that, not only give them the questions they may be asked but also include the responses thy should be giving.

:bigwave:You can pull the strings to make their mouths move while you speak.:cfingers::lol:


I Wish!!!

Is it inappropriate/acceptable to prepare a cheat sheet for our Plant Manager to actively use as a reference during a third party audit?

:blowup:

How can a company have a true quality managment system when you have to train top management and prepare them for an audit. For those that were involved in Damien's thread re: ISO 9001, A Gigantic Waste of Time... I would say this thread supports that position. Sounds like a total waste of time and an ineffective SYSTEM other than maybe getting a certifiacte to be used as marketing.

Maybe have top manamgent read all 30 pages of ISO 9000 and all 23 pages of ISO 9001? Probably too much to ask.

Regards, Dirk

My goal for an audit is when someone asks "When is our next audit?" and my reply is "Oh, that was last week. We did fine."

Is it inappropriate/acceptable to prepare a cheat sheet for our Plant Manager to actively use as a reference during a third party audit?

:blowup:
I believe so. does it meet the intent of the standard? no. Does it help QMs get their system registered when the management is clueless and won't get on board in the appropriate way? yes. I was hired to put together a system and get it registered. I have tried since I started to get the others involved with no luck. I prepared a system for dumbies that I can "pull the strings" to make their mouth move so I can fulfill my obligation to the company. And I work my :ca: off so I can keep the customer perception of quality high. And I complain alot.

Cheat sheets are good when all else fails. Yes great big waste of time and money but it is the world that has been created.

Mark

These answers, as you might guess, has supported what I know to be a fair and balanced assessment of the Management as a whole. They do not know know, nor do they want to be bothered with TS or QS or anything other then the bottom line. My role is to make him/her look good. Have the answers lined up ready to go.

:soap: :oops: Did I say that....??? My hands are tied.

These answers, as you might guess, has supported what I know to be a fair and balanced assessment of the Management as a whole. They do not know know, nor do they want to be bothered with TS or QS or anything other then the bottom line. My role is to make him/her look good. Have the answers lined up ready to go.

:soap: :oops: Did I say that....??? My hands are tied.


It helps me if I think of it as "Continuing Professional Development" Training!

I believe so. does it meet the intent of the standard? no. Does it help QMs get their system registered when the management is clueless and won't get on board in the appropriate way? yes. I was hired to put together a system and get it registered. I have tried since I started to get the others involved with no luck. I prepared a system for dumbies that I can "pull the strings" to make their mouth move so I can fulfill my obligation to the company. And I work my :ca: off so I can keep the customer perception of quality high. And I complain alot.
Cheat sheets are good when all else fails. Yes great big waste of time and money but it is the world that has been created.

Mark

You took the words right out of my mouth! Sound like we operate in the same fashion. It is true, that you can lead a horse to water but you can't make them drink. I pass out bibs and spoon feed this stuff on a daily basis!

These answers, as you might guess, has supported what I know to be a fair and balanced assessment of the Management as a whole. They do not know know, nor do they want to be bothered with TS or QS or anything other then the bottom line. My role is to make him/her look good. Have the answers lined up ready to go.

:soap: :oops: Did I say that....??? My hands are tied.


I think there may be one or 2 others here that will be honest enough to say that in a situation such as your giving your CEO or whatever may get the choice of canola, corn or olive oil to get fried in, because that's what I'd be doing if I caught on. I'd ask to interview alone and then start playing 40 questions. About #2 or #3 I'd probably have my answer about committment, competence and a few other niceties.

Major is not the next step above Captain in this case.

I am not the most experienced TS Coordinator in the world, but I can recognize a deep fryer heating up waiting to be used. (Fried) is the operative word. All I can do is to kep developing the professional people here. Most listen, and the most important ones doesn't want to be bothered. Lead by example. I have always believed that. Until????

:truce: :argue:

I think there may be one or 2 others here that will be honest enough to say that in a situation such as your giving your CEO or whatever may get the choice of canola, corn or olive oil to get fried in, because that's what I'd be doing if I caught on. I'd ask to interview alone and then start playing 40 questions. About #2 or #3 I'd probably have my answer about committment, competence and a few other niceties.

Major is not the next step above Captain in this case.
Yes but at least when they fall on their face it is not because I have not tried everything in my power to get them committed and informed. Even the cheat sheet is a way to try to get them at least familiar with the system they are "committed" to.
They say isn't the fact that they hired me and are paying for the registration, the training etc.. evidence of commitment. I believe it may be on the lowest level of commitment. I have told them repeatedly that they are the ones who need to drive this thing. Then they say "why do we need you then?" I like to watch there face when I tell them that if they were doing this right that they would not need me. It is funny :lol: . This is what they hired me for and, no I do not like it. But for now I need a paycheck.
What else can I do except try a little smoke and mirrors and hope that I will get a sucker for a lead auditor or lucky with managements responses.
Oh, and pray alot.
Mark

You can also keep a 34" Louisville Slugger handy in the corner and get a head pad for yourself :frust:

You can also keep a 34" Louisville Slugger handy in the corner and get a head pad for yourself :frust:
Some days I think I need a drool cup, short bus, and a bicycle helmet. :biglaugh:

Some days I think I need a drool cup, short bus, and a bicycle helmet. :biglaugh:


I keep spare cups and helmuts on hand in my desk. You may need to call Rent a Wreck for the short bus.

:rolleyes: :notangel:

Here is a new development here. My boss (the owner) wants to hire someone part time to be his stand in. I just laughed at him when he suggested it. Then when I realized he was serious I tried to regain my composure. I argued with him for an hour about how this farce would not work unless this new employee really had the authority for the company. I wonder if a pupet king will be installed soon. :lmao:
Drool cup for everyone oh and stop licking the windows.
Mark

It's not that big a deal.

It isn't like you are going to fail or anything.

Give him the "Memory jogger 9000/2000" from goalqpc.com and forget about it.

Carl-