Over the years we have worked with many companies to help them prepare for their ISO external audits. Audits can be a fun, but also a daunting and stressful one if they are new to you – we have seen even the best of clients say something that maybe they shouldn’t.

We have created a helpful list of DOs and DON’Ts to help companies not put their foot in it with auditors!

DO … 
Be prepared for the audit - especially if it’s your first audit, or you are being audited as a team - think about what you are going to be asked (as where applicable, which of your team will front particular topics).

DON’T …
Forget about the audit hoping it will go away - it won’t! … Raise any queries you might have with your manager.

DO …
Be available and ready to go when the Auditor arrives …. If the audit is being performed at your desk, please clear your desk prior to the audit (so that the Auditor has somewhere to write as well as nothing interesting for them to look at!).

DON’T …
Be worried about the audit - the Auditor is there to verify the effectiveness of the activity (e.g. process), not to find fault … any comments that the Auditor may make are opportunities to improve the activity - accept them accordingly.

DO …
Be ready to show examples of work that supports your answers - once you’ve told the Auditor what you do, expect to be asked to show the Auditor evidence that supports what you say (e.g. have copies of processes to hand, or examples of output).

DON’T …
Guess at an answer if you don’t understand the question - ask for the Auditor to clarify their question … don’t go off at a tangent and start talking about something the Auditor hasn’t asked you about - you may end up somewhere you don’t want to be!

DO …
Respond to Auditor questions in an honest and clear manner - don’t lie or make stuff up!

DON’T …
State that something is done within a specific timeframe (e.g. every day, within in a week, etc.) unless you can prove it.

DO …
Ask the Auditor to run through their thoughts / findings / any comments at the end of your session (the Auditor should do this anyway)

DON’T …
Google ‘1001 ways to stall an Auditor’ … it brings all kinds of other stuff, and most Auditors have seen them all before … if you’re prepared for the audit you’re not going to have any problems - enjoy it!

Hopefully this helps you not get too worried about upcoming audits. If you would like to read more about our company or think we could help you in getting ISO certified please visit our website.

Thanks!