1. 25 July 2019
4 Things about Audits
They are sample tests (auditors can’t verify it all)
Audits are tests of compliance with the documented system
“is this team/person following the documented system?”
“what evidence is there to support that?”
“if not, is it a single instance or a mistake… or is it a bigger problem?”
Auditors must see objective evidence - “could you show me…?”
Auditors are always on the job (ie, the entire time of the audit)
25 July 2019

2. Auditors are Not Intimately familiar with: our system the project
25 July 2019
Auditors are Not
Intimately familiar with:
our system
the project
your job, etc
That’s why they read our documents and ask questions!
Your friend
Always right
25 July 2019

3. Things to Do Be co-operative & friendly Listen to questions carefully
25 July 2019
Things to Do
Be co-operative & friendly
Listen to questions carefully
don’t assume “trick question”
answer may be fairly basic/obvious to you, but not to them
but don’t volunteer too much!
Be prepared to demonstrate evidence of activities
If necessary, disagree or explain:
eg, wrong tack, misunderstanding
too way out “what if”, etc
25 July 2019

4. Don’t Worry too much or get too tense
25 July 2019
Don’t
Worry too much or get too tense
Think the auditor is right all the time
Volunteer more information than required - just answer the question
Offer major concerns/fears/misgivings during an external audit
Forget that it is an audit
25 July 2019

5. Remember If we are doing what we say we are doing…
25 July 2019
Remember
If we are doing what we say we are doing…
an audit is not a problem
25 July 2019