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Risk and Issue must have one-to-one correspondence

Discussion in 'ISO 9001:2015 - Quality Management Systems' started by tony s, Aug 27, 2019.

  1. tony s

    tony s Well-Known Member

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    In one lively debate with a CB auditor about the requirements in clause 6.1.1, he asserted that "for every identified issue (internal/external), risk/s must be identified". I dissent with his interpretation. What's your take on this?
     
  2. RoxaneB

    RoxaneB Moderator Staff Member

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    Why do you disagree? Why does he say otherwise?
     
  3. tony s

    tony s Well-Known Member

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    According to him, 6.1.1 says "shall consider the issues...and determine the risks and opportunities that need to be addressed..."

    My stand is the word "consider" is not mandatory and there's no categorical statement in the standard that risks must be identified from the issues.
     
  4. Golfman25

    Golfman25 Well-Known Member

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    I think you're parsing "consider" too much. But I don't think it requires a one-to-one risk evaluation. I view it as more of a global analysis. It's the old SWOT analysis.
     
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  5. Bev D

    Bev D Moderator Staff Member

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    I don’t like the word “issue” :confused: What the heck is meant by an issue? (I have a friend who states that only people have issues, equipment have problems)

    Also per the dictionary definition of “consider”, you would only have to think about not necessarily do anything or even enumerate each risk or opportunity...for every little thing.
     
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  6. RoxaneB

    RoxaneB Moderator Staff Member

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    While I'm not going to pick a side here, I'd like to point out that based the 6.1.1 statement provided by Tony, it's the issues that are to be considered, NOT the risks. Now it also says that that risks that need to be addressed, so if it ain't there then it ain't going to be addressed.
     
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  7. Andy Nichols

    Andy Nichols Moderator Staff Member

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    To quote an English expression: "He's talking bollocks"...

    He's clearly incompetent to be discussing risks and doesn't realize you have the opportunity to boot him through the door...
     
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  8. tony s

    tony s Well-Known Member

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    Could be. But I make use of the concepts and definition of terms of ISO standards.

    Annex A.3 of ISO 14001:2015 says: The word "consider" means it is necessary to think about the topic but it can be excluded; whereas "take into account" means it is necessary to think about the topic but it cannot be excluded.

    Annex A.3 of ISO 45001:2018 says: The word "consider" means it is necessary to think about but can be excluded, whereas "take into account" means it is necessary to think about but cannot be excluded.
     
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  9. Andy Nichols

    Andy Nichols Moderator Staff Member

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    "Issue, issue, all fall down"... Which bit don't you understand, Bev? :D
     
  10. Qualmx

    Qualmx Well-Known Member

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    Not exactly risk, remember positive or negative, it may be an opportunity, but also it States somewhere which are pertinent, if is mentioned, is pertinent and you have to do something.
    I'm I wrong?
     
  11. Andy Nichols

    Andy Nichols Moderator Staff Member

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    Risks are risks, opportunities are opportunities. Don't confuse the two.
     
  12. tony s

    tony s Well-Known Member

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    Stated where? You have to be specific.
     
  13. Qualmx

    Qualmx Well-Known Member

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    Sorry is "shall determine external and internal issues that are relevant "
    So, If it was included, was relevant, then , by using swot, You could have strength, weakness, opportunity and threat.
    So , for each issue, you evaluated and identified if it was a risk, then I think your cb auditor is right, is my opinion.
     
  14. Andy Nichols

    Andy Nichols Moderator Staff Member

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    I believe you are complicating things (again). If opportunities were risks, the standard wouldn't need to use different words would it? It isn't a one-for-one relationship, which is what the auditor is looking for (in error).

    You are also overlooking HOW risks and opportunities are managed. Some opportunities don't have to be taken. The auditor is looking at this as if it's more complex than it needs to be. Keep reminding yourself that it was written to be used in places which lack sophistication and it becomes simpler.
     
  15. tony s

    tony s Well-Known Member

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    Can't find the SHALL in the standard. Where is it stated that we have to identify risk/s for each issue?
     
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  16. Bev D

    Bev D Moderator Staff Member

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    Andy is correct, risk and opportunity are descriptors of the effect of an event, action or situation. Any event or action or situation can pose both risk (something bad) and opportunity (something good).
    Tony is also correct that you don’t have to ‘do something’ about every thing. There is no requirement for that.
     
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  17. John C. Abnet

    John C. Abnet Well-Known Member

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    Interesting conversation.
    I would add that the key word is not "consider" but "needs" (i.e. 6.1.1 "...the ORGANIZATION shall...determine the risks and opportunities that NEED to be addressed..."

    The organization shall determine, not the auditor.

    In regards to "issues"...
    4.1 NOTE 1: Issues can include positive and negative factors..."

    In summary, the standard clearly does not require ..."for every identified issue (internal/external), risk/s must be identified".
     
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  18. Qualmx

    Qualmx Well-Known Member

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    Sorry , you all are right, I was confused with the term identified.