Motivation for IQA (Internal Quality Audit) Auditors

[xfngrs]

...send company-wide emails and make announcements in company meetings that I am looking for internal auditors. [/COLOR]

Do you have an example of something you posted for a company-wide email? I need to do something, but we have a reasonably large auditor motivation problem. I don't want to sound overly enthusiastic for a process that has an 'iffy" reputation.:

 

[AndyN]

Do you have an example of something you posted for a company-wide email? I need to do something, but we have a reasonably large auditor motivation problem. I don't want to sound overly enthusiastic for a process that has an 'iffy" reputation.:

In a past life, I did a lot of "remedial" auditor "training" when motivation was an issue. I've discovered that much of it comes from a lack on involvement in the audit process - none in the planning, being given no time to prepare, including canned checklists etc. Also, since the scheduling of audits wasn't linked to anything management were "interested" in, the auditors got fed up because no-one took action. Many of the findings were just ISO clause related too.

What's the cause of your auditors lack of motivation?

 

[xfngrs]

I know the reasons for our issues. But I am not in a position to put anything into place regarding motivation that will fix our issues. Yet I am to issue an appeal for more auditors. And I have writer's block.

But thank you all for your input. I can check off our issues from those suggested.

 

[pcsmith]

From an internal auditor's perspective:
To prepare for our initial TS-16949 audit, I watched our management select individuals from each dept and thrust them into a week of training. 17 of 20 of us had no experience in auditing or ever subjected to an audit, and little understanding of the terminology, purpose, or goals of the TS16949 audit. While the trainer did give a lot of information, it was far too fast and furious in a week's time for most of those 17 to process all the information given. I watched them shrivel up and wither, as anyone does when overwhelmed and confused (think, being expected to learn Greek or Chinese within a month). That did not stop the audit machine nor the expectations from management. What we now had was most internal auditors just looking for proper documentation headers and numbering formats.
Your best bet is with the selection process. Find people who are passionate about what they do (whatever that is) and have an aptitude to learn auditing. Then take the time to teach the the purpose and proper techniques, instead of just throwing terminologies at them...not that you are doing that, but I've seen it...wait, you don't work with me, do you?

Good luck!

 

[xfngrs]

Actually it starts like that and that's the good part. Usually a couple are enthusiastic but once they start getting told what they can and can't write it disappears pretty fast.

 

[SalCoraccio]

Hello guys, i just want to hear some advice from you on how do you motivate your internal auditors?

usually internal auditors comes from different department and doing this IQA job is just an additional task for them. i am thinking of giving them something (not monetary) that will uplift their morale and maintain the enthusiasm in doing the IQA activity.

Always a tricky one, as some folks appreciate one thing, some another.

Depending on the culture of the company, a nicely embroidered button down, polo or t-shirt; kind of a badge on there.

An inscribed pen, with which they may write nonconformities....

I know you said non-monetary, but one of my faves is to take 10 or 20 singles and have them "pad blocked" - made into a notepad such that when they want a beverage or snack from the vending machine they can tear one off. Alternate the money with pages of certificates, good for leaving 30 minutes early or taking a long lunch (to be turned into supervisor or manager) - something like that.

So, a couple of ideas for you.
Sal

 

[AndyN]

Actually it starts like that and that's the good part. Usually a couple are enthusiastic but once they start getting told what they can and can't write it disappears pretty fast.

So that's the issue, then...

 

[JaneB]

So that's the issue, then...

Sounds like it.
And that the company actually wants 'audi-robots'. Good luck with that approach. (And I don't envy your position, xfngrs.)

 

[Ajaylakhey]

I also have the same problem.

 

[drgnrider]

One BIG help that I have is that our current Factory Director was the QMR about 2 years ago and instituted the QMS.

My Quality Auditors have been at this for about four years now, me about 2. One, while still very enthusiastic about auditing (using checklists), still asks me lots of "how" and "what" questions, the others not so much. My less-than-one-year EMS auditors are still trying to get the "feel" of auditing (no checklists). All are busy and knowledgeable of our processes, but I don't see them 'unmotivated', I see them as unsure of their skills as auditors.

I try to e-mail them tips and ideas, have spread the audits out over a year vs. two months in hopes that it keeps their soft-skills up and less time away from their regular jobs (multiple departments represented), and have requested to be present on at least one of their audits every year, so I can offer feedback.

Not that I want to, as it will take them away from their jobs longer, but I am looking at trying exercises like we did in my lead auditor training.

Trying to get auditor and auditee schedules to match are difficult at best, so trying to assign teams of two is not desirable. I might have to in order to, hopefully, give them some immediate support.