Thursday, February 28, 2013

why are some audits, and auditors remebered


When we meet customer after the audit , we often get remarks like:

·         Audit by XYZ was very good.

·         Audit quality is now gone down.

These are some of the indicators organization need to look into. What exactly can make an audit as ideal is a debatable point, and can vary with customer expectations.

A value added audit, timeliness, fair evaluation, friendly atmosphere are common criteria. While NC and failures are not easily accepted and the trend also shows that auditors avoid NC, this generally is short term reaction.

Value added audit:

·         Pointing out weaknesses pertinent, important for success.

·         Identifying strengths which can help management to consolidate.

·         sharing valuable information like industry benchmarks, general practices ,

·         Sharing knowledge/ experiences across industry.

In contrast if the audit findings are:

·         Minimal

·         Overstressing on documents rather than practices

·         Not pertinent to core processes

·         In contrast with performance of the organization

 

The audit is not remembered. Though the auditee gives due respect to auditor, the memory of the audit is short lived.

 

Timeliness:

Common misconception is extended audit is in depth audit. Hence some auditors by habit extend beyond working hours, delay the schedule. This actually happens because if the auditor is not prepared or not aware of the working and has considered in adequate time.

Hence the auditor must obey his own time table. In some companies even the auditor is not entertained if he is reached before or after the schedule.

The timeliness also means that auditor is prepared, aware of process, and has clear idea of requirements to be covered.

 

Fair Evaluation:

The process of evaluation is always subjective. The auditor who specifies these criteria before, and repeats when the key point is observed, the evaluation is simple.

Negative evaluation is easy to identify, but difficult to communicate, and is always debatable.

Hence the method of explanation is important.

The correctness, completeness of report is what is a consistent to audit.

Friendliness:

This is point which is always a last priority. The stiff face auditors, those who use word system frequently and threaten auditee with system failure, are not liked.

In fact sometimes friendly auditors tend to be harsher, but apparently are liked more.

It is better to smile, crack a joke and give findings.

 

To sum up, if auditee gets the experience of all these, points, & considers the audit is a really worth spending, and believes that auditor is professional.   This is a role play Which needs to be played to perfection.

 

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