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Leadership responsibility vs. internal audit

Discussion in 'ISO 9001:2015 - Quality Management Systems' started by Liz S., Jun 21, 2017.

  1. Liz S.

    Liz S. New Member

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    Our internal audit team has been responsible for updating all documents regarding the QMS, processes, forms, training, etc in the past for the 2008 standard. Now that we have transitioned to the 2015 standard we are trying to determine if Leadership should be responsible for updating these documents excluding the processes and forms surrounding the Internal Audit processes. We have four internal auditors and two of them are lead auditors.

    In the past we have had top management meetings to discuss the changes to the quality manual, procedures and form but we question if it is a conflict of interest to have internal audit performing the updates on these documents on an annual basis. is it appropriate for Leadership to designate someone in the internal audit group to manage the document updates?
     
  2. Andy Nichols

    Andy Nichols Moderator Staff Member

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    Really? This is unusual and, I'd suggest, an unsatisfactory situation

    Responsible, possibly. It depends on the size of the organization. Certaininly the process owners should take this responsibility/accountability.

    Not directly, but it's NOT the job of internal auditors to do Process Owners' work

    No, they don't understand the role of Process Owners, the use of the management system and the role of internal audits/auditors, I'd suggest...
     
  3. tony s

    tony s Well-Known Member

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    Andy is right. Process owners should be the one responsible for updating their documents. If I'm the QA Head, I'll ensure that the documented procedures and their associated forms we employ in the performance of our tasks are current. It's not the job of Internal Auditors to update our documents. Auditors are mainly responsible for assessing whether the requirements (e.g. stated in our documented procedures or applicable standards) are being fulfilled.
     
    Andy Nichols likes this.