Issue 102 – Auditors: Use your camera!
ISO 9001:2015…
Auditors: Use your camera!
I appreciate receiving emails with questions and/or comments from readers of this Newsletter… please continue to do so since it provides me with direction on where to aim the content of these publications. In my last Newsletter (ISO 9001:2015 Newsletter Issue 101) we discussed the topic of “Auditors: Open your eyes!”, and now in this Newsletter we will discuss “Auditors: Use your camera!”.
The ISO 9001:2015 Element numbering…
Element 4 – Context of the organization
Element 5 – Leadership
Element 6 – Planning
Element 7 – Support
Element 8 – Operation
Element 9 – Performance evaluation
Element 10 – Improvement
Auditors: Use your camera!… Getting Auditors to use a camera builds on the topic from the last newsletter about Auditors opening their eyes to observe how an activity is actually done (vs reading how it is done in a procedure). Taking pictures of things is something I have done for many years because it’s simpler to just show the Managers at the Closing Meeting what the issue is rather than trying to describe it… as they say, a picture is worth a thousand words. Of course, you need to get permission to do this from the organization however it seems more and more common that people are taking out their smartphones and snapping pictures everywhere. In addition, with remote audits continuing to be popular, pictures can enhance the objective evidence that an Auditor is gathering, in addition to their own notes (handwritten or digital).
What are the benefits of taking pictures?… Besides helping to communicate issues at a Closing Meeting, pictures taken during an audit have many other benefits. I can cover calibration a lot quicker if I take a picture of the entire testing device (so it’s easier to tell where it’s located), along with a close-up shot of the calibration sticker. I then use these photos and verify that the supporting paperwork/records can be found for each device. By the way, pictures can also be electronically attached to the audit report for future follow-up. I will often take an overview picture of a nonconforming hold area and then close-ups of the paperwork attached to the individual NC items for later follow-up, just like I did with the calibration checks mentioned above. Warehouse areas can be done in a similar fashion (to ensure items are being stored in the correct locations). I will also take pictures of all of the paperwork plastering bulletin boards, not to mention completed forms and printed procedures or work instructions. All of this results in more audit data collected faster… and more accurately… because sometimes I either forget to jot down an important detail, or I simply can’t read my own handwriting, in my rush to make notes. With remote audits being used more and more for internal audits, it’s easy to request that pictures be taken by the Auditee because of your need to “objectively” assess the process/activity/function/area.
Be sure to watch for our next Newsletter issue where I will be answering some of the questions that I get from Readers of my Newsletters about how to implement the requirements of ISO 9001:2015 in a specific and practical way, that will also help improve business performance…
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Need Help?
ISO 9001:2015 Internal Audit Outsourcing (we can do it for you OR with you!)
For cost effectiveness, the Internal Audit function can be outsourced to an external experienced auditor on a periodic basis. This will provide an independent and objective assessment to management, of where process issues may exist, along with identifying opportunities for improvement. It will also provide the evidence needed to satisfy the Internal Audit requirements in the ISO Standards. We have used two different approaches with this service: a) We conduct the entire audit ourselves, or b) We act as the lead auditor, and along with your Team of internal auditors, we complete the entire audit together. This latter approach allows your people to receive guidance and direction from an experienced lead auditor while at the same time maintaining significant involvement in the internal audit process.
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Internal Process Auditor Training for ISO 9001:2015
The two (2) day Internal Process Auditing for ISO 9001:2015 Training Session is focused on a process approach to auditing with the objective being not only to assess conformance of the quality management system, but also to uncover process improvements during an audit. This goes hand in hand with the process auditing requirements found within ISO 19011 and the process approach covered in ISO 9001:2015, which promotes continual process improvement throughout this Standard. An enhanced checklist is developed, and there will be workshops throughout, to reinforce learning, as well as a live, practice audit. If you are looking to meet the ISO 9001:2015 internal audit requirements and to “raise the bar” for your internal audit program then this is the course you should consider.
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Until next time…
Tim Renaud
Helping Business Professionals Reduce Risk and Remove Waste!