Last week I was working with a client looking at process auditing. We were talking through the benefits of audit and it made me realise that since I started auditing in 1991 my approach to audit has changed so much. Back then BS5750 ruled - 'say what you do, do what you say, write it down and hope the auditor can't disprove it' would be a good summary of the approach we took to management systems. Auditors reviewed procedures and looked for noncompliance.
Things have moved on so much since then. BS5750 and it's ISO version came and went, and the standard which came in to replace them in 2000 (ISO9001:2000) moved us to a fundamentally different approach. One where we looked at processes. One where we considered inputs and outputs, resources and controls and their impact on the process. One where we looked to see how processes worked together and how a systematic approach to management could help businesses improve. Audit became a tool for improvement where the focus was identifying compliance and opportunities for improvement.
Such a huge shift, and one which I welcome and applaud. If you still think audit is about compliance and raising nonconformances get in touch and let us show you a better and brighter approach.
Things have moved on so much since then. BS5750 and it's ISO version came and went, and the standard which came in to replace them in 2000 (ISO9001:2000) moved us to a fundamentally different approach. One where we looked at processes. One where we considered inputs and outputs, resources and controls and their impact on the process. One where we looked to see how processes worked together and how a systematic approach to management could help businesses improve. Audit became a tool for improvement where the focus was identifying compliance and opportunities for improvement.
Such a huge shift, and one which I welcome and applaud. If you still think audit is about compliance and raising nonconformances get in touch and let us show you a better and brighter approach.
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