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We are writing our procedures to become ISO 9001:2000 certified, and most of the procedures are being written from scratch. Everyone is well aware that the procedures are meant to help each department and operation perform their tasks and activities such that the outcome is conforming. That is, the procedure's primary goal is to help the organization and not to be a hindrance or obstacle.
However, the procedures will also be reviewed by The Auditor, and this has some people nervous as to what they should write that will be acceptable. I wrote a few 'hints' to help them out. Would those of you who have more experience than I (everyone?) with the ISO 9001:2000 auditors, please comment and critique my hints?
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1. The Auditor will audit your area or operation according to what your procedures say.
2. The Auditor will investigate whether the tasks and activities listed by the procedure are done according to the procedure.
3. The Auditor will seek evidence to substantiate that the procedures indeed are followed – hearsay is not acceptable.
4. The Auditor will not judge whether the procedure is too detailed, but if it appears too vague or too simple, the auditor may question whether it is sufficient to carry out the task or activity properly – be ready to explain if this issue comes up.
5. The Auditor will not evaluate the adequacy of a procedure. If a procedure is followed and it works; i.e., the outcome of the task or activity conforms to expectations, then so be it.
6. The Auditor will not accept a procedure (will find a non-conformance) that is not followed, regardless of the outcome of the task or activity. If the outcome of the task or activity is otherwise conforming as carried out, then rewrite or edit the procedure so that it reflects what is being done.
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Thank you for your time!
Alex
However, the procedures will also be reviewed by The Auditor, and this has some people nervous as to what they should write that will be acceptable. I wrote a few 'hints' to help them out. Would those of you who have more experience than I (everyone?) with the ISO 9001:2000 auditors, please comment and critique my hints?
=======================
1. The Auditor will audit your area or operation according to what your procedures say.
2. The Auditor will investigate whether the tasks and activities listed by the procedure are done according to the procedure.
3. The Auditor will seek evidence to substantiate that the procedures indeed are followed – hearsay is not acceptable.
4. The Auditor will not judge whether the procedure is too detailed, but if it appears too vague or too simple, the auditor may question whether it is sufficient to carry out the task or activity properly – be ready to explain if this issue comes up.
5. The Auditor will not evaluate the adequacy of a procedure. If a procedure is followed and it works; i.e., the outcome of the task or activity conforms to expectations, then so be it.
6. The Auditor will not accept a procedure (will find a non-conformance) that is not followed, regardless of the outcome of the task or activity. If the outcome of the task or activity is otherwise conforming as carried out, then rewrite or edit the procedure so that it reflects what is being done.
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Thank you for your time!
Alex
to make practice match the procedure. In fact, during one audit a question was presented and everyone answered wrong (the answer did not match the procedure) so we changed the procedure to match the reponses instead of trying to change the people to match the procedure and now everyone answers the question right.