Re: Internal Auditor lack of Competece.
I am auditing a semiconductor plant to TS16949 though my background is in metals fabrication and shipboard controlled system repairs.
So I often do not understand technical details, but can still ask questions like "If you cited reliability problems in your
FMEA's Potential Effects of Failure column, why did you assign that Potential Failure Mode a severity of 1 or 3?" I would be able to do the same in an aerospace supplier because I audit systems more than technical details.
But I need to have some competence to do that, and I have been required to gain education via passing a Lead Auditor class, certifying ASQ CQA, etc.
If this subject organization does not have any requirements like that, or if the auditor has completed the requirements but still exhibits inability to perform, in my view there's a bigger problem than just being chummy with someone.