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    INTERNAL QUALITY AUDIT TRAINING

    1. QUALITY AUDITS

    1. Introduction

    AUDIT is the function of independent verification of selected activities by collecting

    facts and on scrutinizing evidence by an employee or outsider not connected with the

    actual activity under verification.

    It calls for a systematic, independent and documented process for obtaining evidence and

    evaluating it objectively to determine the extent to which audit criteria are fulfilled. The

    audit criteria means set of policies, procedures, and requirements against which collected

    audit evidence is compared.

    2. What is Quality Audit?

    The definition of the term Quality Audit as given in the International Standards, ISO-

    8402 and ISO-10011, is as follows:

    A systematic and independent examination to determine whether quality activities

    and related results comply with planned arrangements and whether these

    arrangements are implemented effectively and are suitable to achieve objectives.

    The term independent is critical to the concept of audit and is used in the sense that the

    reviewer called the Auditor is neither the person responsible for the performance under

    review nor is he the immediate supervisor of that person.

    The other important aspect of Quality Audit is that it aims to collect facts or objective

    evidence during the course of audit.

    Quality audits are conducted in accordance with documented procedures and they provide

    assurance that the implementation and maintenance of the total quality system is in line

    with the stipulated quality policies, objectives, plans and procedures.

    Typically, a quality audit is a verification tool that identifies system weaknesses and their

    potential and, in so doing, providing avenues for corrective action and system

    improvement. A quality system audit offers wide range of benefits as it:

    helps to develop an effective Total Quality System

    assesses conformance of specified requirements

    improves the overall management decision-making process

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    AIB-VINOTTE ACADEMY, OMAN

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    assists in the optimal allocation of resources

    helps avoid potential problems

    allows timely corrective action

    reduces overhead and liability costs

    reduces overhead and liability costs

    improves profitability, customer satisfaction and marketability

    3. Quality Audits and ISO - 9000 Certification

    Quality auditing is an essential and integral part of ISO-9000 certification process. There

    are three types of Quality Audits:

    i) Internal Audits - First Party Audits

    ii) External Audits - Second Party Audits

    iii) Extrinsic Audits - Third Party Audits

    i) Internal Quality Audit - First Party Audits

    In this Audit, a unit looks at its own system, procedures and activities in order to

    ascertain whether they are adequate and being complied with it. The audit is

    carried out by the employees of the unit itself, but essentially they are not

    responsible for the activity being audited.

    Companies seeking ISO-9000 certification have to develop their own internal

    quality audit schedule and procedures.

    ii) External Quality Audits - Second Party Audits

    This is an audit performed by an agency other than the one producing a product orrendering a service. Generally this is an audit of a supplier by a customer to assess

    their capabilities in meeting specified requirements (Britanias Audit on the

    Contract Packers is an example).

    iii) Extrinsic Audit -Third Party Audit

    a. This is reciprocal of External Audit. A third party audit is one, which is

    conducted by an independent Certification Body or Registrar to assess the

    capabilities of the organization to meet the requirements of the applicable

    Quality System Standard.

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    b. Such a body issues a certificate, indicating acceptance of the organization as a

    company of Assessed Capability. This bears worldwide testimony that the

    assessed organization complies with all the requirements of the particular

    Quality System Standard (ISO 9001).

    4. Phases of Third Party Audits

    There are three phases of any audit scenario:

    a) Adequacy Audit

    b) Compliance Audit

    c) Surveillance Audit

    a) The Adequacy Audit:

    This is also known as a system audit, a documentation audit or management audit

    and is normally an office exercise which determines the extent to which the

    document system represented by the quality manual and the associated procedures

    adequately meets the requirements of the applicable standard. In short this is to

    verify, what has been outlined in the manual is adequate to meet the requirements

    of applicable standard. Adequacy audit could be done by sitting in ones own

    office as it involves the examination of quality manual only.

    b) A Compliance Audit

    i) This is the audit, which seeks to establish the extent to which the documentedsystem is implemented, and observed by the workforce, i.e. are the people

    complying with the system?

    ii) This part of audit is done in actual activity field, wherein auditors go round the

    different departments/sections of the unit. This audit seeks to establish the extent

    to which documented quality system is being implemented and observed in a unit

    by its employees or how far what has been outlined in the Quality Manual of the

    unit is being complied within the unit is being ascertained.

    iii) The salient features of Compliance Audit are:

    Ensure that the entire scope is covered

    Ensure that clear and precise Non-Conformance Reports are completed and

    initiated

    Seek proof by objective evidence

    Control and run the assessment to a plan

    Check samples of Documents / Records

    Check follow-ups of corrective actions

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    c) Surveillance Audit:

    After the initial certification of a company, the certification bodies carry out

    surveillance audit of the Quality Systems normally twice a year to ensure that the

    Auditee organization is continuing to maintain the Quality System in accordance

    with terms of certification. The corrective actions taken on the Non-conformances raised on the previous audits are verified and closed out during the

    surveillance audit.

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    Process Audit

    First Party Audit

    (Internal Audit)

    Second Party Audit

    (External Audit)

    Third Party Audit

    (Extrinsic Audit)

    For ISO 9000 Certification Process

    Adequacy Audit

    Product Audit

    Compliance Audit Surveillance Audit

    QUALITY AUDIT

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    5. Audit Roles & Responsibilities

    Roles and Responsibilities

    i) Management Representative

    a) If an audit is to be done by a team responsible for the audit program there will be

    one person to be the leader of the team, and he can be Management Representative.

    b) The Management Representative is ultimately responsible for all phases of the

    audit. The Management Representative should have management capabilities and

    experience and should be given authority to make final decisions regarding the

    conduct of the audit observations.

    ii) Auditor

    A person who has been trained to conduct a quality audit. Auditors are responsible

    for:

    - complying with the applicable audit requirements;

    - communicating and clarifying audit requirements;

    - planning and carrying out assigned responsibilities effectively and efficiently;

    - documenting the observations;

    - reporting the audit results;

    - verifying the effectiveness of corrective actions taken as a result of the audit (if

    requested by the client);

    - retraining and safeguarding documents pertaining to the audit;

    submitting such documents as required

    ensuring such documents remain confidential

    treating privileged information with discretion

    iii) Audit Team

    Whether an audit is carried out by a team or an individual, a leader should be

    placed in overall charge. Typically, the Management Representative can be the

    leader of the Audit team.

    iv) Auditee:

    An organization to be audited.

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    v) Observation:

    A statement of fact made during an audit and substantiated by objective evidence.

    vi) Objective Evidence:

    An qualitative or quantitative information, records or statements of fact relating to

    the quality of a product or service or to the existence and implementation of a

    quality system element, which is based on observation, measurement or test that

    can be verified.

    vii) Non-conformity:

    The non-fulfillment of specified requirements.

    viii) Independence of the Auditor:

    Auditors should be free from bias and influences that could affect objectivity. All

    persons and organizations involved with an audit should respect and support the

    independence and integrity of the auditors.

    6. Internal Auditing Teams

    The Internal Auditing may include selected persons preferably of various strata of the

    organization including executives and tops to make it a possible opportunity to get intouch with the employees of grass root level and know the status and progress on ground.

    This audit also serves as a motivating force for the employees as they get the opportunities

    to directly interact with their top boss.

    7. Selection of Audit Members

    a) Personal attributes of members

    Communication, monitoring and follow-up

    The auditor should have the ability to communicate with the auditee without being

    offensive, rude or abrasive. He should be able to collect the factual position.

    Having collected the facts, he should be able to present them effectively. Auditor

    has to present his findings to the Head of the department which he audited and

    discusses the subject. As such, successful auditing calls for oral and written

    communication skills. Having communicated effectively, he should monitor the

    progress in regard, to the corrective action. By close monitoring, he should follow

    up the matter with the concerned so that the deficiencies pointed out are remedied.

    b) Selection

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    Factors to be taken into account is the number of functions to be assessed, the

    planned direction of the assessment. Team selection will depend on;

    i) the type of quality system standard against which the audit is to be conducted (for

    example, manufacturing, computer software or service standards)

    ii) the type of service or product and its associated regulatory requirements (for

    example, health care, food, insurance, computers, instrumentation, nuclear devices)

    iii) the need for professional qualifications or technical expertise in a particular

    discipline

    iv) the size and composition of the audit team

    v) the need for skill in managing the team

    vi) the ability to make effective use of the skills of the various audit team members

    vii) the personal skills needed to deal with a particular Auditee

    viii) the required language skills

    ix) the absence of my real or perceived conflict of interest

    x) other relevant factors

    The Auditor should be able to apply these attributes in order to:

    - obtain and assess objective evidence fairly

    - remain true to the purpose of the audit without fear or favor

    - evaluate constantly the effects of audit observations and personal interactions

    during an audit

    - treat concerned personnel in a way that will best achieve the audit purpose;

    - perform the audit process without deviating due to distractions;

    - commit full attention and support to the audit process;

    - arrive at generally acceptable conclusions based on audit observations;

    - remain true to a conclusion despite pressure to change that is not based on

    evidence.

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    2. THE ART OF QUESTIONING IN QUALITY AUDITS

    1. Think Before Questioning

    i) A common error generally committed is not thinking before questioning. If the

    Auditor puts forth a question that may be perceived by the Auditee as some piece

    of nonsense that has nothing to do with the subject at hand, then the

    communication bond has been broken. Once this bond is broken, the entire

    process of questioning and answering is jeopardized.

    ii) An assessment cannot be made of the verbal exchange, evidence must be examined

    to confirm or otherwise that what has been said is in fact true and borne out by

    evidence, i.e. examine drawings, orders, calculations, specifications etc.

    iii) The Auditee would also have a comfortable feeling of having dealt with a fair and

    competent professional and thus will welcome the Auditor with open arms the next

    time around.

    2. Audit Questioning

    The auditor learns how to ask questions. The auditor should never frame the questions in

    such a way that mono-syllable answers can be given by the Auditee is YES or NO

    Eg: Are you doing in such and such manner?Or

    Whether he is entrusted with that responsibility?

    The Auditor should use open ended questions to avoid answer YES or NO.

    Eg: How this activity -----------

    Or

    Explain me how this is ------------

    Or

    Show how this is addressed ---------- etc.,

    The auditor should think in the like of 8 Ws & 1 H made.

    i. Who?

    ii. Whom?

    iii. Whose?

    iv. Which?

    v. What?

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    vi. When?

    vii. Where?

    viii. Why? and

    ix. How?

    Among these the auditor should be very careful where the question why is asked. Since

    such a question should never sound like criticism or disapproval of what is in vogue.

    The auditor should not start the questions as soon as he meets the auditee. After the

    personal introduction pleasantries have to be exchanged and a general discussion has to be

    done before the subject is branched.

    Only one question should be asked at a time and proceed with the next question after the

    first question is answered.

    Any elucidation is to be given for any question the same should be done taking into carethe basic tenet is not disturbed even to the minutest degrees.

    Auditor should record his finding then and there so as not to forget what has been

    gathered. They are not supposed to use a tape recorder.

    The Auditee has to be told in advance that there will be a note prepared after completion

    of the audit.

    Art of deciphering the body language that is capable of achieving good part of

    communication should be effectively made use of by the auditor.

    Eg: Picking up an item, looking at it, raising the eyebrows perhaps scratching of the

    back of the head are some of the body languages which can be had with the auditor.

    This phase of the audit is to fully make use of the unasked question.

    The Auditor should cultivate a habit for listening and he should keep his eyes into the eyes

    of the auditee and speak overcoming the known barriers to communication.

    Effective time management is of prime importance and the Auditor has to do planning in

    advance. The auditor should develop the capacity to deal with persons who have theknock of beating about bush or divert the attentions to trivial aspects and engage auditors

    in unproductive and peripheral activities and areas.

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    3. PLANNING AND STRUCTURING OF AUDIT

    1. Introduction

    This is very important and the scope has to be clearly decided whether to cover the

    Procedures, Instructions, and Quality System in total or only procedure specific. As for

    the Certification, the scope has to be defined to cover the entire range of activities.

    2. Preparation and Planning

    a) The preparation and planning phase of any assessment is critical to the overall

    success of the exercise.

    b) Inadequate preparation & planning leads to:

    - a devaluation of the result from the assessment.

    - a loss of credibility in the overall assessment function.

    - a waste of both assessors and assesses time.

    - the creation of a false sense of security in that the poorly prepared

    assessment does not probe deeply enough to highlight fundamental problems and

    casts aspersions on both the assessor and his parent organization.

    c) A good rule of thumb is to spend 40% of total man hours estimated for the

    assessment in preparation activities. A further 40% should be allowed to conducting

    the assessment, with the remaining 20% devoted to reporting and follow-up actions.

    Depending upon the dates arranged for the assessment, notice shall be sent to all team

    members about the details of the logistics, audit scope, objective and methods.

    The structuring of Audit programme has to be done carefully by reaching an agreement on

    the rules, purposes and mode by establishing proper collaboration among the following

    groups.i. Heads of auditee departments

    ii. Head of the audit group

    iii. Upper management which presides over the two groups

    The collective agreement is an important ingredient for the success of an audit

    programme, the generally found failure areas being:

    i. The abrasive relationship between auditors and line Manager.

    ii. Failure of line Managers to keep the audit reports.

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    3. Legitimacy of Audit:

    The questions of legitimacy for audit arise in areas:

    i. Subject matter of audit

    ii. Should auditor be accompanied during his/her visitiii. When the auditor may interview

    The legitimacy in totality should be covered by a Charter approved by Upper

    Management.

    4. Objectivity:

    The auditor should be guided by objective approach and should not make any subjective

    judgment to compare things with the standards, which leads to a situation where there areminimum chances for difference of opinion.

    5. Non Personalization:

    Auditors comments and observations should be devoid of personal favour. The audit in

    no way is directed against the Head of Department or his employees.

    6. Verification of Facts:

    The HODs and Faculty members are to be made an active part of the program by bringing

    them into review of any deficiencies located during the audit. Any factual deficiency

    should be agreed upon before any item is entered in the report sent to upper management.

    7. Cause Analysis:

    In normal course, the auditors make recommendation for investigation and analysis of the

    causes for deficiencies and the organization units are expected to do the same. However,in some major cases of non-conformities auditor is expected to investigate major

    deficiencies to determine their causes.

    8. Recommendations and Remedies:

    With a view to reduce deficiencies and improve performance the units itself make the

    recommendation based on audit findings except in some major cases where auditors make

    the cause analysis and recommendations for remedial measures to correct the non-

    conformities.

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    However, the auditors are asked to follow up the recommendations to assure that effective

    action is taken.

    9. Methods of Audit

    These fall into three main categories, each of which may be used to good effect depending

    upon what we are trying to achieve from the audit. However, some require more

    experience on the part of the auditor.

    a) Horizontal Auditing

    b) Vertical Auditing

    c) Random Auditing

    Each of these methods may be combined with the techniques of forward or backward

    tracing and trail following to provide powerful mechanisms for verifying adequacy ofimplementation of Quality Systems.

    a) Horizontal Auditing

    Examining each functional area of an organisation to verify adequacy and

    implementation of Quality System requirements.

    Used for Internal System Auditing and for Second and Third Party

    Assessments when it is necessary to establish if a basic quality management system

    has been installed and is being implemented and maintained.

    Each functional area is checked of conformance with Quality System

    requirements applicable to that area.

    b) Vertical Auditing

    Examining functional area of an organisation that are actively contributing to a

    specific work package or contractual requirement.

    Used for contractual audit activities when a contract placing authority wishes to

    verify that an organisation in applying a contractually agreed Quality System to allactivities undertaken in support of that contract.

    Functional areas of the organisation and interfaces with the contract placer are

    examined to verify conformance with contractually agreed Quality System

    requirements, which may be detailed in a contract specific Quality Plan or

    Program.

    The audit team usually work through the logical sequence of events undertaken

    following contract negotiation and pass through those functional areas contributing

    to the contract as the logical sequence is followed.

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    c) Random Auditing

    Examining aspects of an organizations operation as determined by the auditor and

    as demanded by the need to closely examine a particular activity or generallyprobe the system in a random manner.

    10. Forward and Backward Tracing

    The auditor follows a logical sequence of process steps either starting at the input to the

    series and progressing to the output or working from the output and progressing back to

    the input.

    11. Trail Following

    During the course of an audit the auditor uncovers something that is worthy of further

    investigation, however this now leads away from the original plan of action and may even

    involve progressing the audit into other areas of the organisation not originally intended

    for audit or areas that have been/are to be audited at some other time.

    We should always be prepared to follow trails

    However, sometimes it is better to take notes and follow the trail at a more convenient time or when

    the audit moves to the area where the trail leads.

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    4. PROCESS OF AUDIT

    1. Introduction

    The main purpose of the audit is to examine the Quality System documents and to assess

    whether work practices are as laid down in the documented System.

    2. Opening Meeting

    The last stage of preparation is also the opening phase of the Audit Investigation or

    assessment.

    An opening meeting is held with the Management, is chaired by the Management

    Representative, and is held in the presence of senior management and those responsible

    for the function concerned. The purpose of Opening Meeting is:

    - introduction of auditing team.

    - reiteration of the assessment purpose and objectives i.e. the department and activities

    to be included, details and depth of audit to be expected, with reference to Quality

    Systems including all the relevant standards as applicable.

    - review of the assessment program and identification of the functions of teammembers. Any queries regarding the program should be resolved.

    - the format of the closing meeting, e.g. where, when, who will attend etc.

    - clarification regarding minor/major non conformance and observations.

    The opening meeting should be brief and conducted in a businesslike and professional

    manner. Names and positions of personnel attending should be noted and the points

    covered recorded. The sequence of audit opening meeting would be as under:

    3. Check List

    Checklists of questions should be prepared for each area to be covered by the assessment

    team. Checklists perform a number of functions:

    - they provide a useful aide-memoir to the assess or

    - they form a record of the assessment, provided that responses to questions are

    recorded.

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    - they ensure that all major points are covered, provided the checklists are followed

    - they help to save time in note taking during the assessment, and

    - they assist the preparation for the closing meeting and the subsequent written report.

    Checklists can be compiled in two ways.

    Firstly, they can be designed to reflect the criteria of the Quality Assurance Standard.

    Secondly, they can be prepared on a departmental basis, reflecting the activities for which

    each particular area is responsible. The latter method is the most commonly used and is

    the easier of the two methods to use.

    Care should be exercised when preparing checklists so that it is not to be too detailed,which can lead to a too rigid approach. Checklists are essentially an aide-memoir and

    departure from them can be done when a more promising line of enquiry presents itself.

    Checklists should also be compiled in logical sequence; often low-charting the procedure

    under scrutiny can help in this respect. Questions should be structured so as to gain

    detailed answers, rather than yes/no type answers, and care should also be exercised not to

    structure questions so that their applicability is not dependent on a specific answer to the

    previous question.

    4. Team Briefing

    a) The team leader should hold a briefing session for his team prior to the assessment

    at which he will ensure that preparations are complete and that all team members

    are aware of their roles.

    b) The team leader should conduct interim team briefing during the audit

    investigation and any relevant information should be shared and potential

    difficulties or problem discussed and resolved as necessary.

    5. Assessment Program

    a) Knowing the total time available for the assessment investigation, the Audit leader

    must decide how much time to allocate to investigating the quality assurance

    management system in each department or work area. The Lead Assessors

    decision on this will eventually be documented as the PROGRAM for the audit.

    b) There are a number of approaches, which can be used when compiling a program

    for a full systems assessment. Most commonly used are the TRACE FORWARD

    and TRACK BACK methods.

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    c) The Audit Program should include:

    - The date(s) when the assessment will be performed.- The starting time for the Opening Meeting

    - For each audit sub-team, the anticipated times at which they will be in each

    area/department to be visited.

    - The starting time for the Closing Meeting.

    d) Programs may be distributed to the Management. Each team member should also

    be provided with a copy. The team leader should identify team members

    responsibilities at this stage.

    6. Examination

    Collecting Evidence and Recording the findings

    i) As an auditor conducts interviews, passes through the various departments of an

    organisation and generally observe working practices, there will be of necessity

    that many aspects of operations or comments made by Auditee that need to be

    recorded for further reference.

    ii) However, as a minimum the following should be recorded in a formal manner

    Instances of non-conformance to the Quality System Standard.Instances of non-conformance to documented working practices.

    Aspects to operations that are leading towards non-conformance to either of

    the above.

    iii) These formal records constitute the output from the audit and should be recorded

    as official paperwork.

    iv) Such formal records will inevitably be termed Deficiencies or Non-

    Conformances. The actual term used may vary depending upon the auditing

    organisation.

    v) The important point to remember is that the auditor must detail clearly and

    concisely what has been observed and why it is a concern. The Auditee needs to

    know what the problem is before it can be satisfactorily corrected.

    vi) However, auditors must remember that they should report only agreed findings

    based on factual evidence. It is good practice to gain the signature of the Auditee

    (or auditees representative) on the audit Deficiency report.

    vii) It is important that the facts findings are agreed before the auditors move on to

    another area.

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    viii) The Deficiency statement needs to be worded so that it is understandable to those

    who were present at the time of audit and also those who were not and who may be

    involved in implementing corrective actions.

    ix) Thus the need to record facts.

    What was found?

    Where was it found?

    Why is it a Deficiency?

    Who was present?

    x) Statements should be clear, concise and meaningful to enable the Auditee to fully

    understand the problem and correct it. Remember that such statements need to be

    written at the time of audit and so should be short, sharp and to the point.

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    7. Non-conformity

    a) Major Non-Conformity

    A Significant Non-Compliance with a Quality System Requirement.

    orA Failure of, or complete omission of a Quality System requirement.

    or

    A Significant Number of Minor Non-Conformities Concerning the Same Quality

    System Requirement.

    b) Minor Non-Conformity

    As isolated incident of a failure to comply with a procedure or Quality System

    requirement.

    It is important for an auditor to differentiate between things that are of a serious

    nature and those that may be less so.

    But in many instances an auditor may be given information or make an observation

    that whilst not a non-conformance as such, indicates that potentially one may exist

    and so further questioning or observation of working practices is necessary.

    8. Importance of Taking Notes

    i) These snippets of informations should be recorded in an informal manner as theauditors notes.

    ii) The human short-term memory is not particularly adept at retaining large amounts

    of data when such data is being rapidly received. In an audit situation, we are in a

    completely new and possible strange environment, it is easy to become

    overwhelmed by what we see and hear. In this situation, it is often difficult to

    remember all of those interesting things that need to be investigated further at

    some later time or in another section of the organisation. Hence, it is advisable and

    indeed good practice for an auditor to record this type of data in working notes.

    iii) Also, notes should be made of who has been interviewed where in the organizationthe audit has been conducted and what procedures or documented working

    practices or drawings etc., have been examined.

    If adequate notes are not taken, it will be very difficult to recall what has been

    observed.

    iv) Do not trust your memory; write down information as you go.

    v) Do not clutter your mind with trivial matters.

    vi) Use your checklist and record on it if you wish.

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    vii) Record what needs recording i.e.

    Section / area audited

    Person(s) interviewed

    Document numbers and issue status

    Equipment identificationProduct/material identification

    General housekeeping conditions.

    Make mental notes or jot down impressions gained of:

    Workloads

    Attitudes

    Reactions

    Organisation

    Condition of equipment

    Awareness and understanding of procedures.

    Remember to listen to what is said and observe at all times, analyze and

    record what is important.

    9. Pre Closing Meeting

    Prior to the final meeting the team leader should have the team assembled. The audit team

    should then ensure that the observations are documented in a clear, concise manner and

    are supported by evidence. Nonconformity should be identified in terms of the specificrequirements of the standard or other related documents against which the audit has been

    conducted. The Management Representative should review observations with the member

    of audit team. The member of the audit team should acknowledge all observations of non-

    conformities.

    10. Audit Closing Meeting

    The main purpose of this meeting is to present audit observation to the Management in

    such a manner so as to ensure that they clearly understand the result of the audit.

    The main purpose of this meeting is:

    Present the overall findings of the audits in an objective and factual manner

    against the scope of assessment.

    Present the non-conformance in a summarized manner placing emphasis on

    those, which are significant to the quality of the end product or service

    received by the customer.

    Agree dates for the remedial action necessary.

    The sequence of audit closing meeting would be, as under:

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    Express thanks for co-operation of Auditee personnel.

    Briefly state disclaimer clauses;

    a) Samplingb) Negative Reporting

    c) Not all the faults

    Stress that particular negative data in audit team report does not amount to general

    criticism of Auditees system.

    Clarify that report is limited to audit team findings witnessed by Auditee

    personnel.

    Invite audit team members to present their report and recommendations.

    Conclude audit team presentation with overall summary.

    Invite questions/comments, direct discussion towards objectives. Avoid lengthy

    argument.

    Pursue agreement on follow-up action. Specify who is to act and within what time

    scale action is to occur.

    Closing the meeting after final brief comment from both sides.

    11. Audit Documents

    a) Audit report preparation

    The audit report is prepared under the direction of the Management

    Representative, who is responsible for its accuracy and completeness.

    b) Report content

    The audit report should faithfully reflect both the tone and content of the audit. It

    should be dated and signed by the Management Representative. It should contain

    the following items, as applicable:

    - the scope and objectives of the audit;

    - details of the audit plan, the identification of audit team members and auditees

    representative, audit dates, and identification of the specific organizationaudited;

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    - identification of the reference documents against which the audit was

    conducted (quality system standard, auditees quality manual, etc.);

    - observations of non-conformities;

    - audit teams judgment of the extent of the auditees compliance with theapplicable quality system standard and related documentation;

    - the systems ability to achieve defined quality objectives;

    - the audit report distribution list;

    Any communication made between the time of the closing meeting and the issue of

    the report should be made by the Management Representative.

    c) Report Distribution

    The Management Representative shall give the audit report to the management.

    The audit report should be issued as soon as possible. If it cannot be issued within

    an agreed time period, the reasons for the delay should be given to the

    Management with the revised issue date.

    d) Record Retention

    Audit documents should be retained for a considerable period of time.

    e) Audit Completion

    The audit is completed upon submission of the audit report to the Management.

    f) Corrective Action Follow-up

    The objective here is to ensure that effective corrective action has been taken in

    every area of noncompliance. A follow-up procedure must be put in place to

    verify the effectiveness of the corrective action. Experience has indicated that

    companies who are able to develop self-correcting systems can effectively

    establish a constancy of compliance and improvement.

    Corrective action and subsequent follow-up audits should be completed within a

    time period agreed to by the client and the Auditee in consultation with the

    auditing organisation.

    12. Management Review

    All noncompliance including all reports on internal quality audits are to be reviewed at an

    appropriate interval by the management to ensure the effectiveness & suitability of the

    quality system.

    5. SPECIMEN FOR NON-CONFORMITY REPORT

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    NON-CONFORMANCE REPORT

    QUALITY SYSTEM AUDIT

    Audit Schedule No. __________________ NC. No. _________________

    Auditee Dept. _______________________ Date ____________________

    Auditor(s) __________________________ Auditee (s) _______________

    __________________________ _______________

    NON CONFORMITY

    Standard ISO 9001: 2000Clause No.

    Quality System DocumentsRef.

    MajorMinor

    Auditee Sign Auditor/s Sign Management Representative

    CORRECTIVE ACTION

    Responsible Person Proposed Completion Date Actual Completion Date

    Clearance Report by Auditor/s with Date and Signature

    Management Representative Signature with Date and Comments

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