2. What Happens During an ISO Audit?

Many organisations become nervous when they hear the word "audit". For some people it brings back memories of school exams where you either passed or failed. Fortunately, an ISO audit is not designed to catch people out. In reality, it is simply a structured way of confirming that your management system is working as intended.

One of the reasons people worry about audits is because they do not fully understand what happens during the ISO audit process. The good news is that certification audits are generally straightforward when an organisation has prepared properly and is operating its system effectively.

The ISO certification audit normally takes place in two stages.

The first stage focuses mainly on documentation and readiness. The auditor reviews your management system and confirms that the organisation is ready to move forward to the certification assessment. They may identify areas that require clarification or improvement before the next stage.

The second stage looks at how the system operates in practice. Auditors will speak with employees, review records, and observe activities to determine whether the documented processes are actually being followed.

One of the biggest misconceptions is that auditors expect perfection. They do not. Every organisation has areas that can be improved. In fact, identifying opportunities for improvement is one of the reasons audits are so valuable.

Where issues are identified, these are normally recorded as non conformities. Most are relatively straightforward to address and simply require evidence that corrective action has been taken.

After certification has been achieved, organisations are subject to surveillance audits. These are carried out periodically to confirm that the management system continues to operate effectively and remains compliant with the relevant standard.

The Bottom Line

The ISO audit process should not be viewed as something to fear. A well prepared organisation that understands its own processes will usually find the experience constructive and beneficial.

An ISO certification audit provides independent confirmation that your management system is delivering value and helping your organisation achieve its objectives. In many cases, organisations discover that audits become easier and more useful as their management systems mature.

If you would like guidance on preparing for an upcoming audit, contact Qualitation for a free, no obligation discussion. Contact us on enquiries@qualitation.co.uk