What do you think about remote audit during the COVID pandemic?

Experience so far shows that the process is all over the map. I've experienced auditors who demanded from the client that the audit NOT be virtual, because they (the auditor) couldn't deal with the "challenges". I've seen CBs charging extra (!) because of increased planning? Seriously!

To be honest, the whole notion of virtual audits being some kind of new and exciting thing is bogus, in my experience. A significant number of CB auditors never left a conference room which means zero practical change to the effectiveness of audits. CB auditors rarely want to see anything ahead of the actual audit - don't forget that, unless the CB wants to increase the duration of the audit (and therefore the cost) for off-site reviews, auditors won't get paid for reviewing anything.

It seems to me that every CB has a version of how it's done and then it's down to the individual auditor. To expect a clearly recognizable process driven by CBs is not going to happen.

Here's some guidance: https://www.the-center.org/Blog/May-2020/10-Tips-to-Prepare-for-Your-Virtual-ISO-Audit

 

I have done it to various standards. There is very little out there to train people to do a good job with virtual audits. It is hard enough to do a good job in-person; conducting half-blind adds another dimension altogether.

A remote audit is made more difficult by the limited ability to just observe as we walk through a space. Auditors collect inputs based on questions we ask people, review of documents and observation. When doing virtual Environmental, Health & Safety and Security audits in chemical plants I need my guide to broadcast a view on his/her device while walking through the space. I can say "Let's look at that trash can by the door/fork lift next to the tank" and have him walk over there with my real-time direction (which door?) and I can see some things in the camera view while we go along, but focus is a problem and no peripheral vision is available. So observation is severely constrained.

Also constrained is the ability to have impromptu follow up checks of things like big binders of test methods in QC Labs, where the walk through resulted in a chance observation of hand written lineouts and changes on an antique printed document. We need to ask for a review of documents and this review can more easily be staged or limited.

Additional observational constraints for Quality audits include how nonconforming material is being managed at machines, environment in the space, and so on. Interviewees are placed "on the spot" with what amounts to a microphone thrust into their faces. It is easier to put people at ease with in-person interactions than via a tinny voice in a little tablet.

Navigating all of this, plus issues with people's dying phone batteries (this type of live streaming is a huge power drain) tends to add time and challenges to the audits.

Traveling is still grueling, but in-person audits are still better although it seems appealing to audit from one's desk. It is still very draining to audit from the desk though. We are still on a schedule and we still need to collect the expected inputs plus conduct meaningful follow up. It takes a lot of getting used to.

I am seeing more clients ask for virtual audits because it reduces audit expenses when we stay at home. I have managed to provide meaningful feedback through exploration of issues I happened upon (isn't that supposed to be the point?) but I think I have likely missed some simply by not being able to see them in person.

I hope this helps.