ISO Auditing is an essential component required for an organization to better prepare for the ISO Certification.
There are two types of ISO Auditing – Internal Audit (ISO Consultant/ Quality Team) & External (Certification Body).
ISO Audit Requirements for Organization
Depending on the organization the ISO Auditing requirements vary. The main purpose of ISO Auditing is to check the organization’s Management System compliance with the ISO Standard guidelines.
During the audit, the Management System is checked for any errors or vulnerabilities. The required corrective actions are taken to ensure the system is running perfectly.
ISO Auditing helps to align the Management System with the organizational goals and objectives. It will help the organization to practice continuous improvements to the system to enhance employee productivity.
ISO Auditing Checklist to Follow
ISO Auditors will analyze the organizational goals and test the Management System capabilities. They also identify the gaps in the system and ways to achieve the organizational objectives effectively.
ISO 9001:2015 Certification lists down certain guidelines to be followed for the Auditors to implement the Management System that is in line with the organizational goals.
The Auditors analyze the organizational performance, employee productivity, process enhancements, etc., and devise the right actions.
1. Employee Training
The auditors provide awareness training to employees on a range of system improvement practices.
Auditors will prepare the following during the employee training workshop:
- Work Evaluation Report
- Monitor the Training Test Scores,
- Conduct ISO Certification Awareness Sessions
- Employee Qualification Checks,
- Skill-set Assessments, Performance Reviews, etc.
2. Resource Utilization
Standardizing operations, reduce duplication, and improve resource utilization are the key components of ISO Certification.
ISO Auditors focus on continuous improvement and utilizing resources the right way. Resource utilization is an essential component to enhance business productivity.
3. Document Preparation
Preparing a robust quality manual and other quality documentation compliant with ISO Certification is a key operating area for an ISO Auditor.
Organizations must record the process of handling the organizational documents the right way. Also, the creation, management, and usage of the documents must be compliant with ISO Certification procedures.
The organization documents can be stored and managed in any format – spreadsheets, presentations, images, or video clips. There must be a proper nomenclature for the documentation.
4. Quality Management Software
ISO Auditors will devise the right technology adoption for implementing the Quality Management System.
It is a supercritical aspect as the efficiency of the QMS System depends on the technology platform it is based on. Especially in the digital world, organizations must follow a fully digital approach to stay competitive.
5. Management Review Meetings
ISO Auditors will meet the management team and share the QMS performance and scope of improvements.
A detailed meeting with a complete risk assessment and action plan will be approved in the meeting before proceeding to the certification stage.
Benefits of ISO Auditing for Organization
ISO Auditing is essential for organizations of any size and industry sector. The high volume of transitions, growing regulatory issues, risks are making ISO Auditing furthermore essential in the digital world.
It helps organizations to secure their Management System and enhance business productivity. The periodic Internal Auditing will ensure the process, system, and actions are recorded and implemented the right way.
ISO Auditing helps the organization to:
- Protect assets and reduce cyber-attacks and frauds
- Improve efficiency in operation and reduce cost in the long run
- Increase financial reliability and integrity by checking the Management System
- Ensure compliance with laws and other regulations
- Conduct management review meetings, and approve corrective actions
- Coordinate with the Quality Management team and ISO Certification body for the final ISO Certification process.
How ISO Auditor will help in ISO Certification?
One of the main aspects of ISO Auditing is the risk management process of the organization. Based on the risk levels of the business activity, organizations must decide on the frequency of internal audits.
Now once the risk profile is assessed by the Auditor, they will devise the corrective methods and the implementation plan of the quality management system standard.
Internal Auditor will prepare the Quality Manuals and procedures that are compliant with the ISO Certification standard.
This in turn will help in getting the organization certified easily by the Certification body after conducting a third-party audit.
Hence, in a nutshell, the role of an ISO Internal Auditor/ISO Consultant in conducting gap analysis, implementation a robust Quality Management System, preparing quality manuals, coordinating with the ISO Certification body is crucial.
Hence choose an experienced ISO Consultant for the Quality Management System implementation to have a successful ISO Certification subsequently and fulfill the desired organizational objectives,
Connect with our expert ISO team to know more about ISO Certification Audit and Certification process in UAE.
Contact: Aurion ISO Consultants
