Relative Value of RAB Credentials - Consultants as Credentialed Auditors

[Marc]

From: ISO Standards Discussion
Date: Thu, 29 Jun 2000 11:42:56 -0500
Subject: Q: Relative Value of RAB Credentials /Kozenko

> ... the RAB will not
> recognize any audits of systems I helped develop. I think I understand
> the rationale but it kind of makes it hard for a consultant to achieve
> or even maintain their certification as an RAB QMS Auditor!

I'd like to hear from everyone except Registrars on this thread...

It took me about two months into the RAB "Carded" Auditor game to realize that Registrar employees had all the "ins" and everyone else could pretty much count on scraping the barrel, slim pickings, and full self-funding, to obtain "equivalent to Registrar employees" credentials with the RAB.

So, before six months status as a "carded" RAB auditor had elapsed, I dumped them. Wasn't even interested in their newsletter, and tried for a half-refund but guess what they said ;o)

Has anyone else lived and learned like me? And as for potential clients, what's the relative weight you attach nowadays to RAB Credentials when you are evaluating consultants?

btw This is the reason Registrars can hold their opinions/comments: As a Provisional status auditor, I found that the only way I could participate in Audits that could (not "would" mind you, only "could") possibly qualify me for eventual Lead Auditor status, was to foot the bill myself. Travel, lodging, meals, usually 100 miles away or more, and the Registrar's "clients" would never consider paying for less than a Lead Auditor (status-wise) -- if the Audit Team was three auditors and they were all being paid, it was because all three were already Lead Auditors (status-wise).

Besides, it's more fun correcting biased Lead Auditors from Registrars during certification or surveillance audits -- I call that the "yin / yang" of the ISO9000 marketplace ;o)

David Kozenko

[Marc]

From: ISO Standards Discussion
Date: Thu, 29 Jun 2000 11:54:55 -0500
Subject: Re: Relative Value of RAB Credentials /Kozenko/Hitchcock

From: Al Hitchcock

These kinds of games that the RAB plays is the reason I dumped my auditor status with them and went over to the IRCA. I'm dealing with humans for once. No games.

/ah

[Marc]

From: ISO Standards Discussion
Date: Fri, 30 Jun 2000 08:08:17 -0500
Subject: Re: Relative Value of RAB Credentials /Kozenko/Arbuckle

From: "Don Arbuckle"

I gathered all the necessary credentials and audit days back in 94 and looked to get my accreditation. This was about the same time that a number of national consulting groups were touting their ISO 9000 registration in hopes of landing more consulting contracts. I watched closely and with inside information from those groups, learned that the ISO registration was gaining them nothing! My own experience is that my background and references have proven much better than a Lead Auditor alphabet soup at the end of my name when it comes to landing contracts. Most of the time, I have won contracts over accredited Lead Auditors, simply by pointing out that there is nothing in the Lead Auditor "credential-ing" process that ensures that the person can consult. My references have proven to be the best "credential".

In short, my clients (a non-random sampling!) did not care about the Lead Auditor credential. Their selection was based on background and experience in consulting.

Don Arbuckle