Our QMS was design around the ISO9001 standard, section by section, paragraph by paragraph from start to finish. The QPs and QWIs follow the exact same pattern, we have 23 QPs and 14 QWIs.
The checklist that we currently have is 25 pages and follows the standard section by section. IMO it's just TMI ..... So far everyone has been happy with it, we just completed and passed our audit and have been certified
to AS9100 RevC / ISO 9001:2008 with zero findings for the last 3 years.
I think I may be the problem here ....
Indeed, Scott, there's a problem which Houston needs to know about!
I'd be very worried about zero findings! Apart from anything else, it's just very unlikely that could happen. While the CB isn't paid to find fault, you have to ask, are you really THAT good?
On the checklist side, what you have done is OK to get you going, but at some point, you need to shift gears to move your whole QMS and audits along. Sadly your CB auditor doesn't have a clue, or they would have made some comment, I'm sure...
If you are auditing to the standards, you aren't auditing to processes. Take a look at this
here for some help.
Also, how many times do you do an audit? Have a look
here too for some more guidance.
Also, dump the checklist. Audit to your processes, their objectives and also the results you get (internal or with customers). You'll help management see the error of their current ways.
BTW did you have any auditor training? If yes, and the trainer didn't help you to understand this, you may wish to get someone in to coach you with your audit program. (and avoid that trainer...)