How to prepare your company for an audit

Cari Spears

Super Moderator
Staff member
Super Moderator
#21
How to prepare a company for an audit? Interesting but troubling as a question goes........I'll respond with a statement.

If an organization has to "prepare" for an audit then apparently the management system in question has not been "effectively" implemented and/or it is not being "effectively" maintained. Organizations whose management systems are "effective" do not have to expend the resources or take the time to "prepare" because they are able to be audited at any time due to their "effectiveness": They're doing what they need to do on a continual basis and do not have to play catch-up.

The OP's statement about preparing is objective evidence that the system lacks effectiveness in its implementation.

The OP's statement about "management support" may be providing evidence that it had to be sought and that "commitment" may not be valid. There should never be a second thought about management if it is truly commited to the process.
I did not take the OP's question that way.
kmyers said:
Does anyone have some examples that I can present to my companies employees, that would help them feel more secure. Not many people in my company have ever been through an audit before. ... I am just looking for questions that auditors ask so I can prepare everyone so they don't clam up and stare at the auditor like a deer in the headlights...
People who've never been audited get nervous - it's human nature.

kmyers, have a look these - I hope they help.:bigwave:
http://elsmar.com/Forums/showthread.php?t=11426

http://elsmar.com/Forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=5116&d=1147958898
 
Last edited:
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S

somerqc

#22
Having created 3 ISO 9001 systems, I can assure you that management commitment was rarely this issue when preparing. Preparing was more to put people at ease, not to ensure they had the "right" answer.

People get nervous - in fact, the HR person here gets so nervous as to almost be unable to answer the questions. There is little I can do about it except try to help her relax. This is where I spend my time "preparing" people.

I don't quiz them on what they are supposed to do - the system will do that through audits. I prepare them on what to expect from the auditor (i.e. type of questions, what to do if don't know answer, etc.).

After 10 years, I have become immune to the impact of having an auditor come in (plus having Canadian Standards Association visit me quarterly as well - feels like I am always being audited, auditing, or reacting to audit results. ;))

It is not always a reflection of management but a reflection of personalities in the business.

John
 
V

venkatesan

#23
HI
Every one thanks a lot because , i got confident from this fourm to carryout the audit in my plant.

Thanks and Regards
venkatesan:thanx:
 
K

kmyers

#24
How to prepare a company for an audit? Interesting but troubling as a question goes........I'll respond with a statement.

If an organization has to "prepare" for an audit then apparently the management system in question has not been "effectively" implemented and/or it is not being "effectively" maintained. Organizations whose management systems are "effective" do not have to expend the resources or take the time to "prepare" because they are able to be audited at any time due to their "effectiveness": They're doing what they need to do on a continual basis and do not have to play catch-up.

The OP's statement about preparing is objective evidence that the system lacks effectiveness in its implementation.

The OP's statement about "management support" may be providing evidence that it had to be sought and that "commitment" may not be valid. There should never be a second thought about management if it is truly commited to the process.

As I stated in my post most of our employees have never gone through any type of certification or audit. Thanks for reaffirming the statement about soapboxes.

Haven't you ever studied for a test the night before the test? If I understand your statement correctly, you learned every thing in your class and did not have to prepare yourself beyond that. Because if you had to study then that would just demonstrate the lack of quality education that you were receiving.

Thank you to everyone who supplied constructive responses.
 
Q

QA gremlin

#26
The powerpoint file is good. I have found it helpful to create a memo of key points and advice and communicate this to employees thru their natural regular dept meetings and get the supervisor/manager involved and in a coaching & supporting role as well as the management representative. Some key concerns I would cover are:

The audit is on the system not the people - samples not everything.
Don't unnecessarily volunteer information not asked for.
Make sure you understand what was asked, if not ask, paraphase.
Know essence of quality policy and how their role relates to it.
Know their current job, what is required, how they know their work is acceptable, what to do if not acceptable, relevant work instructions, status of any materials or product in their work area. What training they have received to do the job. How do they know they are using the correct and current tools & gauges. When was the last time you remeber an audit being done in your work area. If you have a quality concern what would you do?
 
K

kmyers

#28
Well I had my Stage II audit yesterday and came out quite well. 0 majors, 0 minors and 3 OFI's.

Thanks to everyone who helped in responding to questions that I had. My gratitude to Marc and all the Mods goes beyond just saying thank you.

Marc the Cove is probably the most valuable web site that I have ever seen and you are a visionary for creating and maintaining it.

Thank You,

Kris:yes:
 

howste

Thaumaturge
Super Moderator
#29
Congratulations on all of your hard work! I hope you had a thorough auditor that gave you a fair assessment. You have my permission to take the rest of the day off. Not that my permission counts for anything...
 
K

kmyers

#30
I would happily take you up on that, but unfortunately your name isn't the one that is scrawled on the bottom of my paycheck.:(
 
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