Internal Audits for an
Integrated Management System

Seminar Content

Auditing an integrated management system presents a unique challenge for internal auditors. Auditors must have required competence in each of the applicable management system fields to perform effective audits. They must understand the objectives of each standard and the processes established by your organization to meet those requirements. Quality Techniques provides internal audit training to equip your auditors with the tools and techniques they will need to be successful. Among the tools provided to class participants is a template for an integrated audit checklist that addresses the requirements of ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and OHSAS 18001. The checklist is provided on a CD to facilitate customization by your organization.

Objectives of this seminar are to:

• Understand the audit approach for each system standard;
• Learn specific techniques to maximize the benefits of the internal audit process:
• Adequately prepare for the internal audit;
• Develop effective checklists and variations thereof;
• Partner with the auditee to maximize the benefits;
• Use checklists effectively;
• Report findings in a way that encourages timely, thorough corrective action;
• Calculate return on investment for audit findings where possible.

The scope, length, and specific content of the class are always customized to meet the individual needs of the attendees and the organization. The standard agenda addresses:

• Introduction
• Objectives and deliverables
• Understanding the purpose of internal audits
• Creating the Right Environment for Successful Audits
• Earning management’s support
• Calculating return on investment for audit findings
• Reporting audit results in terms of facts and data
• Getting employees’ support
• Understanding the Requirements of ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and OHSAS 18001
• Preparing for the Audit
• Defining the scope of the audit
• Understanding the requirements of each standard relative to the audit
• Performing an effective document review (what to look for and what to audit against)
• Reviewing and understanding applicable process models
• Reviewing previous audit results
• Creating an effective audit plan
• Advantages and disadvantages of a backbone checklist
• Developing a checklist based on facts and data
• Verifying the effectiveness of the system
• Using matrices to facilitate compliance auditing
• Conducting a pre-audit meeting with the auditee
• Performing the Audit
• Group and individual opening meetings
• Creating the right environment during the audit
• Interview techniques
• Keys to listening
• Handling difficult auditees
• Effective use of the checklist
• Guidelines for documenting findings (what to record as discrepancies vs. observations)
• Reporting the Audit
• Documenting the audit report
• How to write effective Corrective Action Requests
• How to increase the chances of timely, thorough corrective action
• Conducting the closing meeting
• Follow-Up of Audit Findings
• Root cause analysis
• Taking effective action
• Verifying the effectiveness of corrective action

© 2003 to 2007 Quality Techniques, Inc. All rights reserved.
Site by Tiny Empire Design.