Tests to give our Trained Internal Auditors

I would like to locate some tests to give our trained Internal Auditors.

Personally, I don't know if a structured test is good idea. It can be hard enough getting internal auditors (see Audit Teams - We have trouble keeping auditors)

Adding a test requirement may scare some away.

I do think that performing a practice audit is probably the best test. Place them with a trained auditor for a practice audit and let the trained auditor critique and coach.

If you really want to test them, I think the best test would be to set up some audit scenarios and see how they find compliance or non-compliance. I use this technique during training...not really as a structured "test", but as a vehicle to open up some discussion during the training.

If your interested, let me know...I have these "discussion points" set up as Powerpoint slides and I could e-mail them.

[This message has been edited by Dan Larsen (edited 14 February 2001).]

[David Mullins]

I train my own internal auditors and use a test, and issue a registered certificate. This provides ample proof of competency for snooping external auditors, and gives the internal auditors something to include in their resume/CV package.

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[Aaron Lupo]

Who trained your internal auditors, was it done by you, an outside source?

If they were trained in house, I would just make up a test from the material you used in training them.

If they were trained by an outside source, I would assume they were tested by them, and you could always ask the trainer for a sample test.

I wouldn't just train them (class room type), test them and say ok you can do internal audits now. I would also have them do audits along side you until they can demonstrate proficiency.

Who is doing your internal audits now?

We do a "test", pre/post test, titled Name That Clause where we site a particular nonconfoamance, then have the participants identify what the ISO clause or sub clause is and why.

We also have a "script of dialog" between an of an audit process where the participants pick out not only the nonconforming situations but also particular auditor traits.ewtc.

[barb butrym]

we do role play and critique the auditor...I take the role of auditee and have fun with it, and control the play based on my "lesson" du jour.... Also do a real time audit together...no better test than the practical experience.

[barb butrym]

we do role play and critique the auditor...I take the role of auditee and have fun with it, and control the play based on my "lesson" du jour.... Also do a real time audit together...no better test than the practical experience.

Also have a crossword/word find puzzle program that I sometimes use...have also heard of a jeopardy game.........

[Randy]

This thread is kind of old, but something came up last week during an EMS (14001) Implementation course that I was delivering for my primary training client along the line of the discussion here.

We had been beating up 4.4.2 Training, awareness and competence pretty good and I was emphasizing that it applied for everyone to include Top management (with specific regard to the EMS) and the Internal Auditors, two frequently overlooked types of roles.

My student asked me specifically that if competence had to be shown, why are IA's not given an exam after a course as part being able to meet the requirement. She also specifically asked if I would administer an exam to the many and numerous people she will be sending to one of my next courses for this provider.

I got to thinking about what she said and it made sense. Now there is no way that a test can absolutely show competence, but it can indicate or prove a level understanding and ability similar to the exam given after a Lead Auditor course.

If you guys have your own program and are not currently testing the attendee' maybe you might want to re-visit this. Also take a gander at your courses and compare them to the specifications/guidance in ISO 19011:2002.