GMP Audit report - To score or not to score?!

Hello,

Thru the years I have used several versions of internal auditing/inspecting reports for GMP.  In the IFSQN implementation package for SQF they give an example of an audit checklist (QMR031) and a sample factory GMP audit that has a scoring system. We are a relatively small co-packing operations that only handles shelf stable food products that arrive already in primary packaging.  We occupy a 20,000 sqft. facility.   We complete a detailed internal audit in about an hour.  In the past, I have had both BRC and large customer auditors recommend against scoring audits suggesting that that they permit manipulation to achieve a "passing grade".  The preferred method, at least in my experience is utilizing a checklist of all the GMP stuff to evaluate and focus more on deviations, corrective actions and the follow-ups.   Curious to here some other internal auditor's thoughts.

Thank you!

As far as I can see, Both BRC and SQF  "Score" to make Acceptability/Ranking  Assessments.

We have never scored our internal audits.

Well that depends...what would be your purpose in scoring?

Some facilities use scoring as part of their KPI's / KPM's.  If you do score it you can use that as part of your statistical component in tracking and continuous improvement of your SQF system.

Over 10 years ago I had an audit template I used with scoring.  Any area less than a certain score would be promoted and prioritized.  Scoring could help you determine priorities if your resources are limited.

My internal audits are scored which equates to a colour code; a "traffic light" system, and the colours are whats recorded in the trending. I'm a bit sceptical of this approach though, as the "best" colour score allows for considerable non-conformance's, so I don't think standards are as good as they could be if it were a number system incorporating the number of non-conformance's and the severity.