Audit Schedule for Multi Site Certification

M

Mustang

#21
That's where I'm headed but does anyone have a good way I can explain the benefits of having one schedule for all sites. I would appreciate any bites of wisdom that you have. Rather than me just saying "do it":whip: I want to give them some valid reasons why this is a good idea for all of us.
because then the management team will see the audit results from one process (or however you group it) for all sites at the same time. It will help to root out whether a problem is a localized, one-off type thing, or a systemic problem throughout all (or a good part) of the organization.

It also may illustrate differences in how multiple sites follow the same process/procedure/etc. and make CA/PA/CI projects easier to find.
 
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U

Univrsl

#22
Our company has a multi-site certificate. Currently I do the audits at 3 sites... my home site (major) I audit all the time, the off-sites (minor sites) I do a "sweep" audit of all applicable clauses during the course of a week, two or three times/year. Clearly this doesn't fit the "all at the same time" scenario, but has been quite effective.
There are two additional sites, one of those being also a major site. In January, we coordinate our schedules of the two major sites in a general way... we try to do the same clause(s) within the same month. It doesn't always work out. ;)

We do have the rationale and schddules for the major and minor site approved by corporate before implementation, and in the QMR we have evidence in a read-ahead package that details the classifications of findings and a review by the audit manager of any findings believed to cross site boundries... and of course any c/a taken on those items.

This system has been acceptable, even appreciated by our registrar... but it is destined to change as we have almost doubled in size in the past 2 years. New corporate directorate wants everything to appear the same at each site and it looks like I'll be charged with making that happen.

Of course I'm going to consider some of the valuable input you all have discussed above as I begin to develop that plan...
:)
 

MichelleD

Involved In Discussions
#23
We do have the rationale and schddules for the major and minor site approved by corporate before implementation, and in the QMR we have evidence in a read-ahead package that details the classifications of findings and a review by the audit manager of any findings believed to cross site boundries... and of course any c/a taken on those items.
This is some great info. Thanks! This is definitely something we might can leverage here. Corporate wants as many of the processes to be the same if possible but some of our sites are design sites only so we may can look at them different based on a risk assessment.

Thanks again.....
 
#25
The guidance to qualify for multi-site certification is on Annex 3 of the IAF Guidance for Guide 62 (read page 41 - 48). See attached doc. This can be downloaded at www.iaf.nu as well.
We have to be careful using this kind of guidance for internal audits. These are for third party audits and the OP was asking in the context of internal audits..........
 
Q

qualitychic

#26
We have to be careful using this kind of guidance for internal audits. These are for third party audits and the OP was asking in the context of internal audits..........
My intention is to help her to understand how a company can be qualified for multi-site registration, not to be used for internal audits. Because I think it's important that they understand that requirements. By all means, there is no intention to confused them with the internal audits. That's just my :2cents:
 
J

joshua_sx1

#27
If you reread the context of that sentence, you will see I was inferring that sometimes you can use an external auditor to your advantage. Sometimes when no one listens to an internal auditor or manager, when the external auditor writes it up, it has a little more leverage. But, that is a risky move and should not be used often. As an auditor, I don't like it, but I am sure I have been "shown" a few things over the years.
…I do understand your point, believe me… I was only emphasizing that whatever nonconformities you have seen (or you are seeing) should be discussed by the organization within themselves (that why I used the word “discuss” and not “solve” or “resolve”)… because I knew the experience of highlighting a certain NCR during internal audit but nobody is listening (some are even commenting stupid findings)… until it was highlighted during external audit… then, as most top management’s escape-goat reasoning is the question “why it was not seen during internal audit?”

…so, the only way-out for an internal auditor to save his butt, is to do his job properly… have records of whatever findings he made… and let the management decide whether they are significant or not…
 

MichelleD

Involved In Discussions
#28
Ah - the joys of being in Quality. After lots of research here and talking with our registrar, I went to our Quality Manager with a revised Audit Schedule for all sites. His comment was "I don't understand. Why can't we just have one schedule, put in the procedure and never touch it again. That way Manufacturing will know they will always be audited on March and September of every year." And I'm thinking - :mg:Did he just say that? As you can guess the discussion went downhill very fast after that comment. I was and still am at a loss for words.
 

Coury Ferguson

Moderator here to help
Staff member
Super Moderator
#29
Ah - the joys of being in Quality. After lots of research here and talking with our registrar, I went to our Quality Manager with a revised Audit Schedule for all sites. His comment was "I don't understand. Why can't we just have one schedule, put in the procedure and never touch it again. That way Manufacturing will know they will always be audited on March and September of every year." And I'm thinking - :mg:Did he just say that? As you can guess the discussion went downhill very fast after that comment. I was and still am at a loss for words.
I can understand their point, and maybe I will get blasted by some other Covers (especially the ones from Registrars and/or Consultants). But, if I understand that the schedule reflects that all processes will be audited at a specified time frame, why would that not work?

I believe the requirement only requires that all processes at all facilities will be audited (if that is what the procedure states), but I could be wrong. Maybe I need some enlightenment.

I know someone will provide that insight.
 

MichelleD

Involved In Discussions
#30
I can understand their point, and maybe I will get blasted by some other Covers (especially the ones from Registrars and/or Consultants). But, if I understand that the schedule reflects that all processes will be audited at a specified time frame, why would that not work?

I believe the requirement only requires that all processes at all facilities will be audited (if that is what the procedure states), but I could be wrong. Maybe I need some enlightenment.

I know someone will provide that insight.
The way I've always looked at it is that the standard states that your program should be planned based on importance, risk and results of previous audits. If I have an area that had many finding during the past year chances are that I will audit them more frequently next year or if there were no findings for the past several audits than I might audit them less. If the schedule always stays the same then the registrar/auditor will say these are not being taken into consideration during planning.
 
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