ISO 9001 Standards Audit Checklist

Whether an organization is implementing ISO 9001:2008 or just improving their quality management system, they will undoubtedly need to review and analyse their current systems and processes in order to identify gaps in compliance. Gap analysis requires that organizations review their existing processes, procedures and documentation, etc. The framework for this review technique is often provided in the format of an ISO 9001 audit checklist which many organizations and auditors consider to be an indispensable tool that actively supports the audit process.

The Advantages of the ISO 9001 Audit Checklist

Regular internal audits are carried out to ensure compliance is maintained and the ISO 9001 audit checklist comes in handy for this purpose. This is just one of many tools that are available from the auditors’ toolbox that help ensure the audit addresses the necessary requirements. It stands as a reference point before, during and after the audit process and if developed for a specific audit and used correctly will provide the following benefits:

- Ensures the audit is conducted systematically
- Promotes audit planning
- Ensures a consistent audit approach
- Actively supports the organization’s audit process
- Serves as an aide memoire
- Provides a repository for notes collected during the audit process
- Ensures uniformity in the performance of different auditors
- Provides objective evidence

Structuring the Audit Checklist

One of the simplest methods of structuring the ISO 9001 audit checklist is by taking the applicable requirements from an organizational policies, procedures and of course, from the standard itself, and turning each requirement into a question. Be sure to include the requirements as well.

Add a section for comments, add check boxes for compliant or non-compliant and you can even add a column to note objective evidence and to provide an audit trial. Each element of the audit process should have customized checklists to serve as documentation outputs from the audit process itself.

This type of approach is primarily utilised by external auditors, including registration and certification body auditors, but the technique can equally be applied by any organization actively seeking to enhance their audit process.

Adding Value to the Checklist

Organizations should assess the potential value that the ISO 9001 audit checklist can bring in helping their audit process to develop. It’s worth remembering that a good checklist is no substitute for an enquiring mind and a good questioning technique.

If an internal auditor uses the checklist to ask narrowly focused questions then little benefit will be derived from the audit. If, on the other hand, the auditors conduct detailed preparation of the requirements of the process they intend to cover during the audit; the checklist then becomes an invaluable output for recording and communicating that preparation work.

Using the ISO 9001 audit checklist should not restrict the scope of audit activities, since that scope may change as a result of information actually collected during the audit. The key to unlocking the checklist’s value is the willingness of the organization to use it as a guide rather than being a slave to it.

Read more on ISO 9001 Standards at http://www.iso9001store.com

ISO 9001 Training

Accreditation and certification is important for businesses these days and proving a competency can be important to gaining future contracts or orders. Some firms will only work with suppliers that are able to indicate they have a level of competency in certain areas and the best way to show this is through recognized training and accreditation. One such training program is the ISO 9001training program, which sets out to ensure quality management is taking place.

As well as the training course, the ISO 9001 training program can provide great assistance in continually implementing the methods and lessons developed through the course. Every firm should be able to provide a policy manual with regards to the audit process and the management system. In addition to this, a procedures manual should be created in order to inform every employee of what they should be doing in the workplace.

If further instructions are needed, it may be of benefit to gain additional assistance in creating working instructions for the ISO 9001 training program. One of the most importantaspects of implementing ISO 9001 training is to ensure that a proper management structure is in place that can hopefully improve over time. There is no doubt that the business world is a very fluid place and changes occur all the time. Having a correct structure in place makes it easier to deal with changes, hopefully improving the long-term implementation and management of any system.

A major issue for any firm, especially in the current economic climate, relates to waste management and ISO 9001 training can help a firm with regards to this. Reducing waste will lower expenditure and is something that all companies should make consideration towards in their management systems. Improving the waste management system is likely to lead to an increase in gross revenue, which again is something that every firm should be aiming for.

Read more on ISO 9001 Standard at http://www.iso-9001-store.com