Free Dec-2024 ISO-9001-Lead-Auditor Dumps are Available for Instant Access [Q13-Q34]

Q13. An internal auditor of a manufacturer of polystyrene packaging products for the electronics industry raised a nonconformity against section 10.3 of ISO 9001 in Report IA202. The nonconformity (NC 3) stated:
“The reject rate of ‘finished’ product of 9.7% needs improvement as it doesn’t meet the stated objective of top management of 5%.” Just before the Closing meeting of a third-party audit, the audit team leader is invited to a meeting with the Quality Manager. He tells the audit team leader that a member of the audit team was seen taking photographs of the factory on his phone during the day and wants him suspended from the Closing meeting with any nonconformities raised by him rescinded. The issue of photographs was not discussed during the opening meeting.
Select the three options for how the audit team leader might deal with this situation.

Insist that the nonconformities must stand since they have been agreed by the team from other evidence gathered

Delay the Closing meeting until the audit team leader has consulted his audit programme manager at Head Office

Advise the Quality Manager that the auditor will be reported to Head Office

State that the auditor will take no further part in the audit and all his photographs will be deleted

Apologise for the situation and ensure the Quality Manager that all photographs will be deleted during the Closing meeting

Advise the Quality Manager that he, as audit team leader, needs to speak to the auditor about the situation and he will report back to the Quality Manager once this is done

The audit team leader should deal with this situation in a professional and ethical manner, while maintaining the integrity and credibility of the audit process and the audit findings. The audit team leader should also try to resolve the conflict with the Quality Manager in a constructive and respectful way, without compromising the audit objectives or the audit team’s independence and impartiality. According to the ISO 9001 Lead Auditor Reference Materials guides and documents, the possible actions that the audit team leader might take are:
*A. Insist that the nonconformities must stand since they have been agreed by the team from other evidence gathered. This action is consistent with the principle of evidence-based approach, which states that the audit team should collect and verify information that is appropriate, sufficient, and reliable to support the audit findings and conclusions. The audit team leader should explain to the Quality Manager that the nonconformities are not based solely on the photographs, but on other audit evidence that corroborates them.
The audit team leader should also remind the Quality Manager that the nonconformities are subject to review and approval by the certification body, and that any attempt to influence or interfere with the audit results would be considered a breach of the audit agreement and the certification rules.
*D. State that the auditor will take no further part in the audit and all his photographs will be deleted. This action is consistent with the principle of confidentiality, which states that the audit team should exercise discretion in the use and protection of information acquired during the audit. The audit team leader should acknowledge that the auditor’s behavior was inappropriate and unprofessional, and that he violated the audit rules and the auditee’s rights. The audit team leader should apologize for the inconvenience and the discomfort caused by the auditor, and assure the Quality Manager that the auditor will be removed from the audit team and that his photographs will be erased from his phone and any other device or media. The audit team leader should also inform the auditor of his misconduct and the consequences, and report the incident to the audit program manager and the certification body.
*F. Advise the Quality Manager that he, as audit team leader, needs to speak to the auditor about the situation and he will report back to the Quality Manager once this is done. This action is consistent with the principle of communication, which states that the audit team should exchange information with the auditee in a timely, open, honest, and respectful manner. The audit team leader should express his concern and his willingness to address the issue with the auditor, and ask for the Quality Manager’s patience and cooperation. The audit team leader should also explain that the audit process is not finished yet, and that the Closing meeting is an opportunity to present and discuss the audit findings and conclusions, and to seek feedback and clarification from the auditee. The audit team leader should then speak to the auditor privately, and follow the steps described in action D.
The other options are not appropriate or effective ways to deal with this situation, because they either:
*B. Delay the Closing meeting until the audit team leader has consulted his audit program manager at Head Office. This action would disrupt the audit schedule and the audit plan, and create unnecessary delays and costs for both the audit team and the auditee. It would also show a lack of leadership and decision-making skills from the audit team leader, and undermine his authority and credibility. The audit team leader should be able to handle the situation on site, and consult his audit program manager only if the situation escalates or becomes unmanageable.
*C. Advise the Quality Manager that the auditor will be reported to Head Office. This action would escalate the conflict and create a hostile and defensive atmosphere between the audit team and the auditee. It would also imply that the audit team leader is not capable or willing to resolve the issue himself, and that he is threatening or punishing the auditee for raising a legitimate concern. The audit team leader should try to defuse the tension and restore the trust and the rapport with the Quality Manager, and report the auditor to Head Office only after the audit is completed and the audit report is submitted.
*E. Apologise for the situation and ensure the Quality Manager that all photographs will be deleted during the Closing meeting. This action would not address the root cause of the problem, and would not prevent the auditor from taking more photographs or using them for other purposes. It would also expose the audit team and the auditee to unnecessary risks and liabilities, and compromise the confidentiality and the security of the audit information. The audit team leader should delete the photographs as soon as possible, and not wait until the Closing meeting.
References: ISO 9001:2015, ISO 19011:2018, PECB Certified ISO 9001 Lead Auditor, Common Audit Problems and How to Deal with Them, The Auditor’s Guide to Conflict Resolution, Conflict Resolution in your Audit Career, How to Be a Good Auditor as a Team Leader

Q14. Select the term which best describes the quality management system process of modifying a non-conforming product to bring it within acceptance criteria.

Concession

Correction

Corrective action

Preventive action

Q15. During a third-party audit of a pharmaceutical organisation (CD9000) site of seven COVID-19 testing laboratories in various terminals at a major international airport, you interview the CD 9000’s General Manager (GM), who was accompanied by Jack, the legal compliance expert. Jack is acting as the guide in the absence of the Technical Manager due to him contracting COVID-19.
You: “What external and internal issues have been identified that could affect CD9000 and its quality management system?” GM: “Jack guided us on this. We identified issues like probable competition of another laboratory organisation in the airport, legal requirements on COVID-19 continuously changing, the shortage of competent laboratory analysists, the epidemic declining soon, shortage of chemicals for the analysis. It was quite a good experience.” You: “Did you document these issues?” GM: “No. Jack said that ISO 9001 does not require us to document these issues.” You: “How did you determine the risks associated with the issues and did you plan actions to address them?” GM: “I am not sure. The Technical Manager is responsible for this process. Jack may be able to answer this question in his absence.” Select two options for how you would respond to the General Manager’s suggestion:

I would not accept the legal compliance expert answering the question.

I would ask to audit the Technical Manager by phone.

I would delay the audit until the return of the technical manager

I would look for evidence that the actions resulting from the risk assessment had been taken.

I would ask for a different guide instead of the legal compliance expert.

I would ask the consultant to leave the meeting since he is not an employee of the organisation.

According to clause 4.1 of ISO 9001:2015, the organization should determine external and internal issues that are relevant to its purpose and its strategic direction and that affect its ability to achieve the intended results of its quality management system. The organization should monitor and review these issues and update them as necessary. Although the standard does not explicitly require documented information of these issues, it does require documented information as evidence of the implementation of the actions taken to address risks and opportunities, as per clause 6.1. The organization should also retain documented information as evidence of the results of the monitoring, measurement, analysis and evaluation of its QMS, as per clause 9.1. Therefore, the auditor should not accept the legal compliance expert answering the question, as he is not the person responsible for the process and may not have the necessary competence or knowledge of the QMS. The auditor should also look for evidence that the actions resulting from the risk assessment had been taken, as this is a requirement of the standard and a way to verify the effectiveness of the QMS. The other options are not appropriate courses of action for the auditor, because they do not address the audit objective or criteria, or they may compromise the audit integrity or impartiality. For example, option B may not be feasible or reliable, as the Technical Manager may not be available or able to provide the necessary evidence by phone. Option C may cause unnecessary delay and inconvenience for the audit process and the auditee. Option E may not solve the problem, as the guide is not the main source of evidence or information for the audit. Option F may be disrespectful or unprofessional, as the consultant may have a legitimate role or interest in the audit.
References: ISO 9001:2015, ISO 9001 Auditing Practices Group Guidance on Context of the Organization, ISO 9001 Auditing Practices Group Guidance on Audit Evidence

Q16. You are conducting a third-party Stage 1 audit at ABC Ltd, a single-site organisation that manufactures wooden furniture. You interview the Technical Director to learn more about the organisation. The Technical Director explains that they have had a successful year and that obtaining ISO 9001 certification will support the further growth of the business. You ask for an overview of the organisation’s structure and its interrelationships with external interested parties.
The Technical Director shows you a document detailing all business processes and interrelationships. You notice in this document that another organisation called Teak Ltd manufactures wooden furniture on behalf of ABC Ltd. The Technical Director confirms this capability has been accounted for in the scope of the quality management system. You learn that the furniture manufactured by Teak Ltd has accounted for 40% of the sales revenue over the previous 12 months.
Which two of the following options best describe how you would plan the audit of the interrelationship with Teak Ltd during the Stage 2 audit at ABC Ltd?

Verify Teak Ltd supply arrangements as described in the ABC Ltd quality management system

Verify if Teak Ltd are certified to ISO 9001

Verify the controls concerning customer property implemented by Teak Ltd

Verify how ABC Ltd evaluates the performance of Teak Ltd

Verify the quality management system at Teak Ltd by conducting an audit at their site

Verify whether the design processes of Teak Ltd comply with ISO 9001

Q17. Which of the following two documents does an auditor need to prepare and complete prior to the on-site audit?

Audit Report

Audit Plan

Procedures

Checklist / Prompts

Risk Matrices

Findings

According to ISO 19011:2018, clause 6.3, the audit plan is a document that provides the basis for agreement regarding the conduct of the audit. The audit plan should include the information listed in my previous response, such as the audit objectives, scope, criteria, schedule, team, methods, report, etc. The audit plan should be prepared and completed prior to the on-site audit, and should be communicated to the audit team and the auditee1.
According to ISO 19011:2018, clause 6.4.3, the checklist / prompts are documents that list the questions or topics that need to be covered during an audit. The checklist / prompts can help the auditor to collect and verify information relevant to the audit criteria, and to ensure the consistency and completeness of the audit.
The checklist / prompts should be prepared and completed prior to the on-site audit, and should be based on the audit plan and the audit scope and objectives1.
Therefore, the two documents that an auditor needs to prepare and complete prior to the on-site audit are B and D, as they are essential for planning and conducting the audit. The other options are not correct, as they are either prepared or completed after the on-site audit, or not required by the standard:
*A. Audit Report: The audit report is a document that provides a complete, accurate, concise, and clear record of the audit. The audit report should include the information listed in my previous response, such as the audit objectives, scope, criteria, findings, conclusions, etc. The audit report should be prepared and completed after the on-site audit, and should be distributed to the audit client and the auditee1.
*C. Procedures: Procedures are documents that specify the way activities are to be performed. Procedures may be part of the audit criteria, if they are part of the organization’s management system, or part of the audit programme, if they are part of the certification body’s or registrar’s requirements. Procedures are not prepared or completed by the auditor prior to the on-site audit, but rather reviewed or followed by the auditor during the audit1.
*E. Risk Matrices: Risk matrices are tools that help to assess and prioritize the risks and opportunities associated with the audit programme or the audit. Risk matrices may be part of the audit programme management, if they are used to determine and evaluate the audit programme risks and opportunities, or part of the audit preparation, if they are used to determine and evaluate the audit risks and opportunities. Risk matrices are not prepared or completed by the auditor prior to the on-site audit, but rather used or updated by the auditor during the audit programme management or the audit preparation1.
*F. Findings: Findings are the results of the evaluation of the collected audit evidence against the audit criteria.
Findings can indicate either conformity or nonconformity, as well as positive aspects or opportunities for improvement. Findings are not prepared or completed by the auditor prior to the on-site audit, but rather generated and recorded by the auditor during the audit activities1.
References: ISO 19011:2018(en), Guidelines for auditing management systems

Q18. Which two of the following should be included in an audit plan?

List of findings from the last audit

Name of the auditee general manager

Signature of Certification Body Technical Reviewer

Sequence and timings of audit activities

Date of next audit

Name of auditees and auditors

Q19. Match the process descriptions below to the process names:

Q20. Match the process descriptions below to the process names:

Q21. In the context of a management system audit, identify the sequence of a typical process for collecting and verifying information. The first one has been done for you.
To complete the sequence click on the blank section you want to complete so it is highlighted in red and then click on the applicable text from the options below. Alternatively, drag and drop the options to the appropriate blank section.

Explanation:
Identifying the source of information
Sampling available data
Gathering audit evidence
Verifying objective evidence
Evaluating evidence against the audit criteria
Making audit conclusions
Evaluating against the audit criteria
According to ISO 19011:2018, clause 6.4, the process of collecting and verifying information during an audit involves the following steps1:
Identifying the source of information: The audit team should identify the sources of information that are relevant to the audit objectives, scope and criteria. These sources may include documents, records, personnel, processes, activities, facilities, equipment, etc. The audit team should also determine the methods and tools for accessing and collecting the information, such as interviews, observations, document review, sampling, etc.
Sampling available data: The audit team should select a representative sample of the available data to verify the conformity and effectiveness of the management system. The sample size and selection method should be based on the audit objectives, scope and criteria, as well as the level of confidence and risk. The audit team should also consider the validity, reliability, relevance and sufficiency of the data.
Gathering audit evidence: The audit team should use the methods and tools identified in the previous step to collect audit evidence, which is the records, statements of fact or other information that are relevant to the audit criteria and verifiable. The audit team should record the audit evidence in a clear, concise and objective manner, using notes, checklists, photographs, audio or video recordings, etc.
Verifying objective evidence: The audit team should verify the accuracy, completeness and authenticity of the audit evidence collected. This may involve cross-checking different sources of information, confirming the identity and authority of the persons providing the information, examining the original documents or records, etc. The audit team should also identify any discrepancies, inconsistencies or gaps in the audit evidence.
Evaluating evidence against the audit criteria: The audit team should compare the audit evidence with the audit criteria to determine the extent of conformity and nonconformity. The audit team should also identify any opportunities for improvement, best practices, positive aspects or potential risks. The audit team should use professional judgement and apply the principles of auditing when evaluating the audit evidence.
Making audit conclusions: The audit team should consolidate the audit findings and evaluate the overall performance and effectiveness of the management system. The audit team should also consider the audit objectives, scope and criteria, as well as the context and expectations of the auditee and other interested parties. The audit team should provide a clear, concise and objective statement of the audit conclusions, which may include the degree of conformity, the achievement of the intended outcomes, the need for corrective actions, the suitability for certification, etc.
Evaluating against the audit criteria: The audit team should review the audit conclusions and ensure that they are consistent with the audit criteria and supported by sufficient and appropriate audit evidence.
The audit team should also ensure that the audit conclusions are communicated to the auditee and other relevant parties in a timely and effective manner, using the agreed audit report format and distribution method.
References: ISO 19011:2018(en), Guidelines for auditing management systems

Q22. Noitol is an organisation specialising in the design and production of e-learning training materials for the insurance market. During an ISO 9001 audit of the development department, the auditor asks the Head of Development about the process used for validation of the final course design. She states that they usually ask customers to validate the product with volunteers. She says that the feedback received often leads to key improvements.
The auditor samples the design records for a recently completed course for the 247 Insurance organisation.
Design verification was carried out but there was no validation report. The Head of Development advises that this customer required the product on an urgent basis, so the validation stage was omitted. When asked, the Head estimates that this occurs about 50% of the time. She confirms that they always ask for feedback and often make changes. There is no record of feedback in the design file for the course.
The auditor decides to review the training course design process in more depth.
Select three options that provide a meaningful audit trail for this process.

How are students advised about prior learning requirements?

How is customer feedback integrated into the course?

How is the cost of the course calculated?

What risks and opportunities have been notified to interested parties?

How is design documentation controlled and managed?

How is technical content of courses verified as correct?

How is the tutor trained to deliver the completed course?

What are the qualifications of the administrative staff?

According to clause 8.3 of ISO 9001:2015, the organization should establish, implement, and maintain a design and development process that is appropriate to ensure the subsequent provision of products and services. The design and development process should include the following activities:
*Determining the requirements for the products and services to be designed and developed, considering the intended use, the statutory and regulatory requirements, the customer and other relevant interested parties’ needs and expectations, and the potential risks and opportunities.
*Defining the design and development objectives, stages, responsibilities, and authorities, and ensuring the availability of adequate resources and competence.
*Implementing design and development controls, such as reviews, verification, and validation, to ensure that the design and development outputs meet the design and development inputs, and to identify and resolve any problems or errors.
*Maintaining documented information on the design and development inputs, outputs, reviews, verification, validation, and changes, and ensuring the traceability and conformity of the products and services to the requirements.
*Managing the design and development changes, by identifying, reviewing, and controlling them, and evaluating their effects on the products and services and the QMS.
In this case, the evidence statements that provide a meaningful audit trail for the design and development process are B, E, and F, because they relate to the design and development controls, the documented information, and the verification activities that are required by the standard. These options can help the auditor to assess the effectiveness and conformity of the design and development process, and to identify any nonconformities or opportunities for improvement. The other options are not directly related to clause 8.3, although they may be relevant for other aspects of the QMS, such as clause 7.2 on competence, clause 7.3 on awareness, clause 7.4 on communication, clause 8.2 on requirements for products and services, clause 8.4 on externally provided processes, products, and services, and clause 8.7 on control of nonconforming outputs.
References: ISO 9001:2015, ISO 9001 Auditing Practices Group Guidance on Design and Development, ISO
9001 Clause 8.3 Design and development of products and services

Q23. Which two of the following are included in the objectives of the ‘Stage 1 initial certification audit’?

To evaluate the performance of monitoring and reviewing activities.

To evaluate the preparedness of the organisation for a Stage 2 audit.

To evaluate the internal audit and management review processes.

To review the quality manual.

To make a decision on certification to ISO 9001:2015.

To evaluate the operational processes of the organisation.

Q24. Audit criteria are a set of requirements used as a reference against which objective evidence is compared.
Which two of the following are not potential audit criteria?

ISO management system standards

Verbal statements by the general manager

Verbal agreements with interested parties

Health and safety notices

Written agreements with interested parties

Commercial advertisements

Organisation’s documented information

Claims made on the organisation’s website

Commitment to follow principles issued by an NGO

Environmental aspects register

According to ISO 19011:2018, clause 3.2, audit criteria are a set of policies, procedures or requirements used as a reference against which objective evidence is compared. Audit criteria are usually selected by the audit client or by agreement between the audit client and the auditee, and they should be appropriate for the audit scope and objectives1. Audit criteria may include, but are not limited to, the following sources2:
*ISO management system standards, such as ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, etc.
*Verbal statements by the general manager or other top management, as long as they are consistent with the documented policies and objectives of the organisation
*Verbal agreements with interested parties, such as customers, suppliers, regulators, etc., as long as they are documented and approved by the relevant authorities
*Health and safety notices, such as posters, signs, labels, etc., that communicate the organisation’s legal obligations, policies, or procedures
*Written agreements with interested parties, such as contracts, orders, specifications, etc., that define the requirements and expectations of the parties involved
*Organisation’s documented information, such as policies, procedures, manuals, records, etc., that describe the organisation’s management system and its processes
*Commitment to follow principles issued by an NGO, such as the United Nations Global Compact, the International Labour Organization, etc., as long as they are relevant to the organisation’s context and objectives
*Environmental aspects register, such as a list of the environmental impacts and risks associated with the organisation’s activities, products, and services Therefore, the two options that are not potential audit criteria are F and H, as they are not reliable or verifiable sources of information, and they may not reflect the actual performance or conformity of the organisation’s management system. Commercial advertisements and claims made on the organisation’s website are forms of marketing communication that may be exaggerated, misleading, or inaccurate, and they are not subject to the same level of scrutiny or approval as the other sources of audit criteria.
References: ISO 19011:2018(en), Guidelines for auditing management systems, What are audit criteria? – ISO Update

Q25. Which two of the following aspects of a quality management system must the organisation continually improve?

Suitability

Adaptability

Effectiveness

Responsiveness

Efficiency

Applicability

Q26. Select six tasks you would expect to be completed at the audit team meeting of a third-party audit team leader and his audit team in preparation for a Closing meeting for a four-day initial certification audit.

Audit team leader informs the individual(s) managing the audit programme that the closing meeting is ready to be held.

Hold daily audit team meeting to review any timetable issues and potential findings and their impact on the audit for other team members.

Final audit team meeting to agree findings and categories including clarification of any uncertainties.

Agree the roles of each audit team member for the closing meeting.

Audit team review any points raised by the auditee nominated representative.

Audit team agree final audit outcome recommendation.

Audit team leader completes final report, including individual findings and certification recommendation.

Audit team complete final version of their individual findings.

Re-audit corrective actions taken to correct findings found during the audit.

Write the audit finding report out when detected and obtain signature of the auditee.

The tasks that are expected to be completed at the audit team meeting of a third-party audit team leader and his audit team in preparation for a Closing meeting for a four-day initial certification audit are:
*Option C: Final audit team meeting to agree findings and categories including clarification of any uncertainties. This option is correct because the audit team meeting is an opportunity for the audit team leader and the audit team members to review and consolidate the audit findings, to ensure that they are clear, accurate, objective, and supported by sufficient audit evidence. The audit team should also agree on the categories of the findings, such as nonconformity, observation, or opportunity for improvement, and resolve any uncertainties or disagreements among the audit team members.
*Option D: Agree the roles of each audit team member for the closing meeting. This option is correct because the audit team meeting is an opportunity for the audit team leader to assign the roles and responsibilities of each audit team member for the closing meeting, such as presenting the audit findings, answering questions, or taking notes. The audit team leader should also ensure that the audit team members are prepared and confident to perform their roles and to communicate effectively with the auditee.
*Option E: Audit team review any points raised by the auditee nominated representative. This option is correct because the audit team meeting is an opportunity for the audit team to review any points raised by the auditee nominated representative during the audit, such as requests for clarification, feedback, or complaints. The audit team should consider the validity and relevance of the points raised and decide how to address them in the closing meeting or in the audit report.
*Option F: Audit team agree final audit outcome recommendation. This option is correct because the audit team meeting is an opportunity for the audit team to agree on the final audit outcome recommendation, based on the audit findings and the audit criteria. The audit team should also consider the implications and consequences of the audit outcome recommendation for the auditee and the certification body, and ensure that the recommendation is consistent and justified.
*Option H: Audit team complete final version of their individual findings. This option is correct because the audit team meeting is an opportunity for the audit team to complete the final version of their individual findings, based on the agreement and feedback from the audit team meeting. The audit team should ensure that their individual findings are written in a clear, concise, and factual manner, and that they include the audit criteria, the audit evidence, and the audit conclusion. The audit team should also submit their individual findings to the audit team leader for review and approval.
*Option I: Re-audit corrective actions taken to correct findings found during the audit. This option is correct because the audit team meeting is an opportunity for the audit team to re-audit the corrective actions taken by the auditee to correct the findings found during the audit, if applicable and feasible. The audit team should verify the effectiveness and adequacy of the corrective actions and update the audit findings accordingly. The audit team should also document the results of the re-audit and communicate them to the auditee.
The following options are not correct:
*Option A: Audit team leader informs the individual(s) managing the audit programme that the closing meeting is ready to be held. This option is not correct because this task is not part of the audit team meeting, but part of the communication between the audit team leader and the individual(s) managing the audit programme. The audit team leader should inform the individual(s) managing the audit programme that the closing meeting is ready to be held after the audit team meeting, when the audit team has completed all the tasks and is ready to present the audit results to the auditee.
*Option B: Hold daily audit team meeting to review any timetable issues and potential findings and their impact on the audit for other team members. This option is not correct because this task is not part of the final audit team meeting, but part of the daily audit team meetings that are held during the audit. The daily audit team meetings are opportunities for the audit team to review the progress and performance of the audit, to identify and resolve any issues or problems, and to coordinate and adjust the audit plan and activities as needed.
*Option G: Audit team leader completes final report, including individual findings and certification recommendation. This option is not correct because this task is not part of the audit team meeting, but part of the audit reporting process. The audit team leader should complete the final report, including the individual findings and the certification recommendation, after the closing meeting, when the audit team has received and considered the feedback and comments from the auditee. The audit team leader should also ensure that the final report is reviewed and approved by the appropriate authorities before issuing it to the auditee and the certification body.
*Option J: Write the audit finding report out when detected and obtain signature of the auditee. This option is not correct because this task is not part of the audit team meeting, but part of the audit evidence collection and documentation process. The audit team should write the audit finding report out when detected and obtain the signature of the auditee during the audit, when the audit team has observed and verified the audit evidence and has communicated the audit finding to the auditee. The signature of the auditee does not indicate acceptance or agreement with the audit finding, but only acknowledgement of receipt.
References:
*ISO 19011:2018 Guidelines for auditing management systems, Clause 6.4.2: Conducting audit activities, Subclause i) and j)
*ISO 9001 Lead Auditor Course Material, Module 5: Conducting an Audit, Slide 19: Audit Team Meeting
*ISO 9001 Lead Auditor Training Course – IRCA Certified, Section 5.4: Audit Team Meeting
*Lead Auditor Exam Preparation Guide (EPG) Template – PECB, Section 3.2: Exam Content Outline, Subsection 3.2.1: Section 1 – Audit Fundamentals, Subsection 3.2.2: Section 2 – Audit Principles, Subsection
3.2.3: Section 3 – Audit Process, Subsection 3.2.4: Section 4 – Audit Competencies

Q27. Which two of the following are the key expected results of a quality management system that conforms to the requirements of ISO 9001:2015?

Decreased number of nonconforming products in all stages of the manufacturing cycle

Decreased number of management system nonconformities

Consistently provide products that meet customers’ requirements

Increased profits

Decreased number of warranty claims

Enhanced customer satisfaction

Q28. A Health Trust has contracted with Servitup, a catering services organisation which has been certified to ISO
9001 for 1 year. It provides services to ten, small rural
hospitals in remote locations involving purchase and storage of dry goods and fresh produce, preparing meals and loading heated trolleys for ward service by hospital staff. An auditor is conducting the first sole surveillance audit at one site with the Deputy Catering Manager (DCM).
At the closing meeting attended solely by the DCM, the auditor informs him that he has found numerous gaps in the QMS processes which lead him to consider recommending suspension of the organisation’s certification. He is particularly concerned with the evidence that patient health is being adversely affected by produce stored beyond its safe consumption date, poor kitchen hygiene and undercooked meals. The DCM says that he cannot make any decisions about these issues in the absence of the Catering Manager due to illness but will write everything down and report to the Catering Manager.
Which two actions should you take in the context of the audit?

Close the meeting immediately after the DCM’s response and advise that the issues will be addressed at the next surveillance visit.

Call the individual(s) managing the audit programme to explain the situation and recommend immediate suspension of certification to protect the integrity of the Certification Body.

Continue with the meeting, present the audit conclusions and inform the DCM that the organisation will receive the audit report in due course.

Conclude the meeting early and advise that it will be rescheduled once the Catering Manager has returned to work.

Recommend that all personnel should be given urgent in-depth training in the QMS.

Thank the DCM for his time and express an expectation that improvements will be made in the QMS.

The actions that should be taken in the context of the audit are:
*Option B: Call the individual(s) managing the audit programme to explain the situation and recommend immediate suspension of certification to protect the integrity of the Certification Body. This option is correct because the auditor has found serious and significant gaps in the QMS processes that affect the health and safety of the patients, which is a major nonconformity that may warrant suspension of certification. The auditor should inform the individual(s) managing the audit programme of the situation and the audit findings, and recommend immediate suspension of certification to protect the integrity of the Certification Body and the credibility of the certification scheme. The auditor should also follow the Certification Body’s procedures and rules for suspension of certification and communicate the decision and the consequences to the auditee.
*Option C: Continue with the meeting, present the audit conclusions and inform the DCM that the organisation will receive the audit report in due course. This option is correct because the auditor should not terminate or postpone the closing meeting due to the absence of the Catering Manager, as the DCM is the auditee’s nominated representative for the audit. The auditor should continue with the meeting, present the audit conclusions and the audit findings, and inform the DCM that the organisation will receive the audit report in due course. The auditor should also explain the audit outcome recommendation and the suspension of certification, and request the DCM to acknowledge the receipt and understanding of the audit results.
The following options are not correct:
*Option A: Close the meeting immediately after the DCM’s response and advise that the issues will be addressed at the next surveillance visit. This option is not correct because the auditor should not close the meeting without presenting the audit conclusions and the audit findings, as this would violate the audit principles of fairness and transparency. The auditor should also not advise that the issues will be addressed at the next surveillance visit, as this would imply that the auditor is accepting the auditee’s delay and inaction, and that the auditor is not taking the major nonconformity seriously.
*Option D: Conclude the meeting early and advise that it will be rescheduled once the Catering Manager has returned to work. This option is not correct because the auditor should not conclude the meeting early or reschedule it due to the absence of the Catering Manager, as this would disrupt the audit process and the audit schedule. The auditor should also not wait for the Catering Manager to return to work, as this would delay the communication and resolution of the major nonconformity, and potentially compromise the health and safety of the patients.
*Option E: Recommend that all personnel should be given urgent in-depth training in the QMS. This option is not correct because the auditor should not recommend or prescribe specific corrective actions to the auditee, as this would violate the audit principles of independence and objectivity. The auditor should only report the audit findings and the audit outcome recommendation, and leave the responsibility and authority for determining and implementing the corrective actions to the auditee.
*Option F: Thank the DCM for his time and express an expectation that improvements will be made in the QMS. This option is not correct because the auditor should not thank the DCM for his time and express an expectation that improvements will be made in the QMS, as this would imply that the auditor is satisfied and optimistic with the auditee’s performance and response, and that the auditor is not taking the major nonconformity seriously. The auditor should instead express the concern and dissatisfaction with the auditee’s QMS processes and the impact on the health and safety of the patients, and communicate the suspension of certification and the need for urgent and effective corrective actions.
References:
*ISO 19011:2018 Guidelines for auditing management systems, Clause 6.4.2: Conducting audit activities, Subclause k) and l)
*ISO 9001 Lead Auditor Course Material, Module 5: Conducting an Audit, Slide 20: Closing Meeting
*ISO 9001 Lead Auditor Training Course – IRCA Certified, Section 5.5: Closing Meeting
*Lead Auditor Exam Preparation Guide (EPG) Template – PECB, Section 3.2: Exam Content Outline, Subsection 3.2.1: Section 1 – Audit Fundamentals, Subsection 3.2.2: Section 2 – Audit Principles, Subsection
3.2.3: Section 3 – Audit Process, Subsection 3.2.4: Section 4 – Audit Competencies

Q29. You are conducting an audit at a single-site organisation seeking certification to ISO 9001 for the first time.
The organisation manufactures cosmetics for major retailers and the name of the retailer supplied appears on the product packaging. Sales turnover has increased significantly over the past five years You are interviewing the new Product Development Manager. You note that a software application called SWIFT is used to help control the product development process.
You have gathered audit evidence as outlined in the table. Match the ISO 9001 clause 8.3 extracts to the audit evidence.

Q30. The following are stages of an audit, put them in the order they would be conducted.

Explanation:

Establishing the audit programme objectives
Determining and evaluating the audit programme risks and opportunities
Establishing the audit programme
Initiating the audit
Preparing all audit activity
Conducting the audit activities
To complete the sequence, you can drag and drop the options to the appropriate blank section.
Here is a brief explanation of each stage:
Establishing the audit programme objectives: This is the first stage of the audit process, where the purpose, scope, and criteria of the audit programme are defined. The audit programme objectives should be aligned with the strategic direction and policies of the organization, and should address the needs and expectations of the interested parties12.
Determining and evaluating the audit programme risks and opportunities: This is the second stage of the audit process, where the factors that can affect the achievement of the audit programme objectives are identified and assessed. The audit programme risks and opportunities should consider the internal and external issues, the requirements and changes of the interested parties, and the results and feedback from previous audits12.
Establishing the audit programme: This is the third stage of the audit process, where the audit programme is designed and implemented. The audit programme should include the audit programme procedures, the audit programme resources, the audit methods and techniques, the audit frequency and schedule, and the audit programme performance indicators12.
Initiating the audit: This is the fourth stage of the audit process, where the audit is prepared and planned. The audit initiation involves selecting the audit team, establishing the contact with the auditee, defining the audit objectives, scope, and criteria, developing the audit plan, and conducting the document review123.
Preparing all audit activity: This is the fifth stage of the audit process, where the audit activities are organized and coordinated. The audit preparation involves assigning the audit tasks, communicating with the auditee and the audit team, arranging the logistics, preparing the working documents, and conducting the opening meeting123.
Conducting the audit activities: This is the sixth and final stage of the audit process, where the audit evidence is collected and evaluated. The audit conduct involves performing the audit activities, such as interviews, observations, document reviews, and tests, documenting the audit findings, preparing the audit conclusions, and conducting the closing meeting123.
I hope this helps you with your ISO 9001 Lead Auditor objectives and content. If you have any further questions, please feel free to ask.
References: 1: ISO 19011:2018 – Guidelines for auditing management systems 2: Audit Process | Flowchart | Summary – Accountinguide 3: What are the Stages of the Auditing Process & Why it is Important …

Q31. According to ISO 19011, what two activities take place during the conduct of a audit follow-up?

Verify the effectiveness of the implemented corrective actions

Verify corrections taken to fix the reported non-conformities

Verify legal compliance

Plan the next audit

Determine feasibility of the audit

Assign roles and responsibilities of observers

Q32. You work for an organisation, ‘A’, which provides packaged food to the public. You are asked to lead a team (you as the leader and two other auditors) to audit a supplier, ‘B’, which provides packaging materials to your organisation. It is 4 p.m. and the audit is close to an end; you are having an internal meeting with the team to decide what will be presented to the auditee during the Closing meeting.
The Closing meeting was scheduled
for 5 p.m.
You, as audit team leader, audited top management, the laboratory, and the storage of raw materials.
Auditor 1 audited the two manufacturing lines and dispatch areas.
You to Auditor 1: “What findings would you report?”
Auditor 1: “When reviewing the Dispatch records, I noticed that during the morning two different trucks (Number 011 and 025) delivered the same batch number of the product (Batch 33555). Truck 011 left the plant at 9.15 am and Truck 025 left the plant at
11.30 am. Procedure P-02 Rev.3 says
that trucks should carry a complete batch. The batch number, once on the truck, is captured using a QR device.” You: “OK, what do you think?” Auditor 2: “I think that this is a nonconformity.” You: “OK. How would you describe the evidence on which the nonconformity will be based”?
Identify which one of the following statements best describes the identified nonconformity.

Dispatch personnel are not fully aware of the need to conform to written procedures.

Dispatch personnel do not always carry out its activities in conformance with Procedure P-02 rev 3.

The batch 33555 was delivered split in two different trucks (011 and 025).

A product delivered to the client was not identified as required in P-02 Rev 3.

Q33. Which two of the following statements related to Stage 1 of an initial certification audit against ISO 9001:2015 are true?

During the Stage 1 audit, the audit team:

Verifies the degrees of customer satisfaction

Evaluates the conditions of all sites

Reviews the client’s management system documented information

Evaluates the results of the last management review

Verifies the compliance with legal requirements

Reviews the processes with high level of risk

Q34. You have been nominated audit team leader of a third-party audit. Which of the following could be the two most relevant objectives of this audit?

Identify the need of resources

Evaluate the capability of the management system to establish and achieve objectives

Evaluate the satisfaction interested parties

Evaluate the benefits obtained since the implementation of the management system

Evaluate the effectiveness of the management system

Identify opportunities for improvement