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Visit and bookmark our web site today: http://www.WhittingtonAssociates.com This e-newsletter is in HTML format and may not be displayed properly by some email programs. Please click on our web site address above to see the e-newsletter with its proper formatting. Note: RAB-certified
QMS auditors must complete their transition training to ISO 9001:2000 from
an approved provider by 12/15/02. See section 7 for our Auditor Transition
classes in Dallas, Reston, Atlanta, Chicago, Charlotte, and San Jose over
the next three months.
Tough economic times may require hard decisions by management for the survival of the organization. Too often, the first solution seems to be cutting costs by reducing the payroll. Business results can be very sensitive to minor improvements in performance. For example, the Institute of Directors (IoD) reported in Business Excellence that a 1% boost in efficiency has a typical profit improvement of 1.9%, the same as for a 1% payroll reduction. However, quality programs that reduce costs or waste by 1% typically have a 7.9% increase in profits. Managers, are you listening? Improved
quality should be an integral part of your strategy.
I created this proposed Code of Conduct for internal auditors using the Code of Ethics from the Institute of Internal Auditors and the Code of Conduct for internal auditors certified by the Registrar Accreditation Board. Audit program managers could ask their internal auditors to sign this code of conduct each year to emphasize the importance of adhering to the principles and ethics of the organization. Purpose To communicate the integrity, objectivity, confidentiality, and competence expected of internal auditors, as well as, to provide a means for them to pledge their commitment to these principles. Integrity The integrity of internal auditors establishes trust and provides the basis for relying on their judgment. As an internal auditor, I pledge to: 1. Perform my work with
honesty, accuracy, fairness, and responsibility. Objectivity Internal auditors must be objective in gathering, evaluating, and communicating information about the activities being examined. They must make a balanced and impartial assessment of all the relevant facts and not be unduly influenced by their interests, or those of others, in making judgments. As an internal auditor, I pledge to: 3. Not join in any activity
or relationship that may affect my unbiased assessment. Confidentiality Internal auditors must respect the value and ownership of the information they receive and not disclose it without the appropriate authority (unless obligated for legal or professional reasons). As an internal auditor, I pledge to: 6. Be prudent in the use
and protection of the information acquired during my audit duties.
Competence Internal auditors must apply their knowledge, skills, and experience in the performance of their assessment duties. As an internal auditor, I pledge to: 8. Engage only in audits
where I possess the needed knowledge, skills, and experience.
Signed by: __________________________ Date:
__________________________
To be eligible for certification as an ISO/TS 16949:2002 auditor, candidates must be sponsored by an IATF contracted registrar. The auditor qualification criteria include: 1. ISO 9001:2000 Qualification
(Must include 2 years dedicated to QA activities) A three day course is available for auditors previously qualified for ISO/TS 16949:1999. Other auditors must attend the full four-day course. All auditors must successfully complete the sanctioned auditor examination. Classes are available through
the Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG). You can contact <kdillard@aiag.org>
for schedule and enrollment information. Remember, the training is only
open to auditors sponsored by an IATF contracted registrar.
How do you audit a system when some of the employees can only communicate in a language other than your own? And what if they can't read the available work instructions? According to the ANSI-RAB National Accreditation Program Criteria, the audit team must be able to communicate effectively, both in writing and orally, in the required languages. The ISO 19011:2002 auditing guidelines say to consider the languages to be used during the audit, as well as, social and cultural aspects, when establishing an audit team. The guidance also says auditors should be able to communicate effectively, either through their personal linguistic skills, or through the support of a competent interpreter. The IAF Guidance on the Application of ISO Guide 62 states additional auditor time will be necessary if the organization speaks more than one language and an interpreter is required. So, you should determine in advance if any of the people to be interviewed only speak a language other than that of the audit team. Depending on the extent of the language barrier, you may decide to include an interpreter on the team. Or, you may choose to use a translator provided by the auditee (and accept that risk). In either case, you should allow extra time for the translation of questions and responses. You should also include in your audit report that the team relied on translation for certain interviews and identify the resulting risk of miscommunication. However, auditors gather objective evidence by 1) interviewing people, 2) observing activities, 3) reviewing documents, and 4) examining records. You can still assess the area by watching the people perform the work, looking at the available procedures, and analyzing the records. But what if a work instruction can't be read by some of the operators? Whether they can read it or not, they must carry out their duties in accordance with the documented process. Of course, if the organization felt the instruction was necessary for their English-speaking employees, I would want someone to explain why it isn't necessary for all the employees. Maybe they provide special training to accommodate the non-English speaking personnel. Perhaps they use flowcharts with process symbols and photographs to minimize the need for text in multiple languages. Find out how the organization is overcoming the limitations for employees that do not read or speak the language used for the documentation. Determine how process changes are communicated to all the employees. Different native languages
can be an obstacle to an efficient (extra time) and effective (miscommunication)
audit. However, with proper planning, support, and questions, the barrier
can be overcome.
The 3rd edition of the Measurement Systems Analysis reference manual is available from the Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG). The guidelines document has been rewritten and is nearly double in size. The first chapter provides General Measurement Systems Guidelines and has sections on terminology, measurements, effects of variability, measurement strategy and planning, gage source selection process, measurement issues, uncertainty, and problem analysis. The chapter on General Concepts for Assessing Measurement Systems covers selecting and developing test procedures, preparation for a measurement system study, and the analysis of results. The next chapter on Recommended Practices for Simple Measurement Systems provides guidance on determining stability, bias, linearity, and repeatability and reproducibility. The chapter also covers the range method, average and range method, graphical analysis of results, and attribute measurement systems. The chapter on Practices for Complex Measurement Systems addresses stability studies and variability studies. The final chapter covers other measurement concepts. The document concludes with appendices, a glossary, a reference list, and sample forms. The AIAG members can purchase
the document for $9.00. Non-members will pay $27.00. Call the AIAG Customer
Service department at 248-358-3003 to place an order.
The Registrar Accreditation Board (RAB) has introduced a new certification program for aerospace auditors. The AS9100 auditor certification was developed in cooperation with the Registrar Management Committee of the Americas Aerospace Quality Group (AAOG). Two certifications will be available for aerospace auditors, depending on experience levels. AS9100 Auditor (AA) candidates must provide evidence they have completed an approved QMS lead auditor course and approved training on the AS9100 standard. Applicants for Aerospace Experienced Auditor (AEA) must meet the AA requirements, plus one of three options: 1. Appropriate industry work experience
See Aerospace
Auditor Certification at the RAB web site to download the program
criteria and application forms.
To enroll in any of these public classes, go to the Class Schedule at our web site, or call us at 800-404-7585. The classes taught by Larry Whittington are shown in gold. ISO 9001:2000 Lead Auditor (ANSI/RAB-NAP Accredited) - CEEM, Inc.
ISO 9001:2000 Internal Auditor (ANSI/RAB-NAP Accredited) - CEEM, Inc.
ISO 9001:2000 Auditor Transition
(RAB-Approved)
Implementing ISO 9001:2000 (for New Systems)
Understanding ISO 9001:2000 Requirements
ISO 9001:2000 Conversion
(for Existing Systems)
Quality System Documentation (Revised for ISO 9001:2000)
To arrange an economical on-site
class, please call us at 800-404-7585.
Conference On Quality In
Commercial Aviation 11th Annual Service Quality
Conference QuEST Forum Best Practices
Conference 10th National Quality Education
Conference World Quality Congress
22nd Southeastern Quality
Conference APICS International Conference
and Exposition 12th International Conference
on Software Quality Society for Advancement
of Material and Process Engineering Customer-Supplier Division
Conference ASQ's 3rd Six Sigma Conference
ASQ Quality Audit Division
Conference ASQ Quality Management
Division Conference 25th International Conference
on Software Engineering 57th Annual ASQ Quality
Congress
© 2000-2002 Whittington & Associates, LLC. All rights reserved. You may copy this e-Newsletter provided you copy it completely, do not change it, and include this copyright notice. |
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