Where should an Audit Take place?

I currently am in my 3rd month of being an QA Manager/ SQFP for a SQF Level 3 facility.

We recently had our audit and received a OKAY score of a 90. Coming from an established facility before which received 98s, 96s, with EASE!

One of the major complaints of this audit was the location of the audit. We are in a small plant that is(what I think is beyond max capacity). There is no OFFICIAL place for the audit except in a office with 3 desks, no table, no room to move around. During our SQF audit, we had constant communicating between production and shipping while the audit was taking place with our Quality team.

What is your advice? The auditor told us if he came in next year he wants it at his hotel room-or at a hotel.

Please let me know any advice would be great.

thanks!

I had an auditor comment the same thing. The auditor wants a quite place where he/she can take their notes without being interrupted. I think there's a clause somewhere that asks for the minimum to meet the "auditors needs". However, the auditor that actually came to audit against the SQF scheme was okay with an open area with a table and chair to work at. It really depends on how "picky" the auditor wants to be. The auditor needs to understand that the world does not stop when an audit takes place. The show must go on. There will be constant communication. My best advice to you is that when the auditor wants to take his final notes offer him someones office. But to do the audit at a hotel "ARE YOU SERIOUS!!!" Is the hotel being audited at the same time??? 

:welcome:

 The auditor told us if he came in next year he wants it at his hotel room-or at a hotel.

Put him by the pool with lots of margueritas.  It may do wonders for your score. 

Seriously though sometimes everyone just has to make do.  It might be different if you had nice conference room that was empty and not used.  But you were as accommodating as possible based on the environment.  If you don't have the space-you don't have the space. 

Pervert! I've heard about what happens when you meet with strange men in hotel rooms!!!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

:roflmao:  :roflmao:  :rofl2:  :rofl2:

I can't see how doing the audit in the hotel room is acceptable. All records need to be accessible. Their also need to be a qualified sqf/qa presence on site at all times so this would remove you and probably a manager or two from the facility.

I can find so many things wrong with this. This guy must have been joking.

The auditor told us if he came in next year he wants it at his hotel room-or at a hotel.

I guess he liked you :cheezy:

I guess he liked you :cheezy:

:roflmao:

Sounds like maybe the auditor was frustrated at the interruptions and the inability to "spread out" so to speak. Yes, the show must go on, but can you limit the number of people in the room or set up a "quiet" method of communication (instant messaging, texting, waving through a window, etc.)? Were the interruptions valid or people being so nervous they started to question their actions while the auditor was there? Were the desks big enough to serve the purpose or would you be better off (for other reasons also), to exchange the desks for regular tables and chairs? Maybe during the intro it would be worthwhile to simply state that this is what you have to work with?

If you think about it from the perspective of "managing" the audit, do what you can to manage any distractions so you can get the auditor in and out as happy as possible.

BTW- 90 is a respectable audit score! Congratulations!

I know a document audit for SQF usually takes place off-site.  How can an auditor do an on-site audit from a hotel room?

As an ex-BRC auditor I always preferred working where the majority of documents were located.  If this meant working an a noisy crowed area there so be it.

Most companies have an office where the opening/closing meeting can take place but documents must be in where used.

My reply is quite simple.  Get another Auditor.