How can you master quality auditing skills?

One thing I have found very helpful at planning stage or walk through of any unit , department and division is to get access over the relevant ERP/module by making your generic ID and go through it as a user. It will provides you the same shoes of an auditee and keep track of the data flow from top to bottom or from start to end of a devise process or procedure bieng audited. Nevertheless, once you become the user of it, you can easily identify the dificulties , loop holes and bugs by making quality audit observations.

The purpose of Quality Auditing is not to get a report. The purpose and benefit of a good Quality Audit is engagement, continuous improvement, inspiration and pride. When you talk with people, not to them, you get all this and you might learn something yourself.

Learn the process and perform thorough walkthrough before venturing into any audit. It will help you identify design weaknesses.

Don't forget to ask questions during the audit if something is not understood well. The non compliance issues can often be found during discussion with the auditee.

It's important to tailor the type and methodology of quality auditing to the specific needs and goals of the organization, as well as any industry regulations or standards that apply. Continuous improvement and corrective actions based on audit findings are integral parts of effective quality management systems.

Understand and interpret regulations correctly. Make your own checklist from the regulations. Do not make unfounded observations/ recommendations.

Irrespective of what standard or what level you are auditing, the important part is the same as Quality Management. Planning and preparation will ensure you know what you need to before you begin. What does the business or group do, what are their risks and therefore your focus, have they had any significant events since the last audit, what is the foodstream and what risks does it impose on their business activities. Once you have prepared yourself for the audit, then set the auditee up for success by presenting them with an audit plan. It will not only give them a checklist of topics and documentation that they need to prepare for your arrival but it will also ensure that the audit is as smooth and as painless as it can be. Prepare!

The standard is important. Again, preparation is key. Go over the standard and know your priorities of each standard, as they all have intricacies. Write notes and questions to ask to get all information that you need to collect as evidence of compliance. These will help you also keep focused within the time frame. Principles of Auditing are listed in any auditing standard but most importantly, Be Human. You are talking with people, not machines. Be respectful of people. Ask all the right questions, to get right answers. Keep the questions open - very difficult when you already know what the answer should be. Let the auditee arrive at the right answer on their own. This means you need to give them space to think and respond.

Tools are all about preparation. If you've done all your preparation to this point then you will know what YOU need: a notebook that you can carry around processing areas easily but also small enough to put in your pocket when you want to examine something with both hands. You should never impact on their system by putting any foreign matter item of yours down on a pallet or bench. Bring a metal-detectable pen with no lid. Bring the standard and checklist (both soft & hard) so you can continue to work if there is no WiFi reception where you are auditing. Bring CLEAN PPE, clean close-fitting but comfortable clothes. Good grooming with clean hair that will easily go into a hair net or beard snood. Essentials: power cord, water, easy snacks.

Best practice: be prepared and you will be confident in the audit; pack your bag the night before; find the location the night before and allow excess of time to get there, considering traffic situations; never be late as the auditee's time is just as important as yours; remember your manners and professionalism as you are in their place of business; take a deep breathe when you need; ensure you always have the option to "phone a friend" if you are unsure about something. Challenges: stick to the time allowed; collect all the evidence that you need to provide good quality feedback on the positives and information on the nonconformances; talk with people but don't forget your focus; don't show your frustration/upset when it's not going well.

To excel as an auditor, it's not enough to possess technical skills; you also need to demonstrate good interpersonal abilities. The capacity to collaborate effectively within a team, particularly when deadlines are tight, is invaluable. In addition, auditors working in multicultural or global contexts must demonstrate cultural sensitivity to navigate the intricacies of diverse business environments effectively. In short, a thorough understanding of the customer's or organization's specific needs and concerns is imperative to delivering a meaningful and effective audit. These interpersonal skills, combined with technical expertise, contribute to making the auditor a highly competent and respected individual.