Pass the PECB ISO 9001 ISO-9001-Lead-Auditor Questions and answers with ExamsMirror

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.

According to ISO 9001:2015, clause 8.4, an organization is required to control the processes, products and services provided by external providers, including those that affect the quality of the organization’s own products and services. This includes determining the controls to be applied to the external provision of processes, products and services, as well as the information to be communicated to the external providers. The organization is also required to monitor, measure, and evaluate the performance of the external providers and retain documented information of these activities.

Therefore, in the scenario given, ABC Ltd is responsible for controlling the processes, products and services provided by Teak Ltd, as they affect the quality of ABC Ltd’s own products and services. This means that ABC Ltd should have established criteria and methods for evaluating the performance of Teak Ltd, as well as documented information of the results of such evaluation. ABC Ltd should also have defined the supply arrangements with Teak Ltd, including the specifications, requirements, and verification activities related to the products and services provided by Teak Ltd.

Hence, the best options to describe how to plan the audit of the interrelationship with Teak Ltd during the Stage 2 audit at ABC Ltd are A and D, as they are aligned with the requirements of ISO 9001:2015, clause 8.4. The other options are either irrelevant or beyond the scope of the audit, as they do not pertain to the control of external provision by ABC Ltd.

Comprehensive and Detailed In-Depth Explanation:

The audit schedule provides a structured timeline of activities to be conducted during the audit.

Clause References:

ISO 19011:2018, Clause 6.4.2 – Preparing the Audit Plan:

Requires the development of an audit schedule, including the sequence and timing of activities.

ISO/IEC 17021-1:2015, Clause 9.1.3 – Audit Program:

Certification bodies must establish a schedule for conducting audits.

Why is the Correct Answer C?

The audit schedule ensures systematic execution of the audit by defining activities, responsible auditors, and timeframes.

A well-planned schedule improves efficiency and helps auditors cover all necessary areas within the given time.

Why are the Other Options Incorrect?

A (Audit objectives) → Define why the audit is conducted, not the schedule.

B (Audit criteria) → Define the standards and requirements to be evaluated, not the timeline.

D (Audit offer) → Refers to the initial proposal sent to the auditee, not the activity timeline.

Comprehensive and Detailed In-Depth Explanation:

Group interviews allow auditors to gather more information in less time by:

Obtaining input from multiple participants simultaneously.

Encouraging discussions that might highlight inconsistencies.

Reducing the number of individual interviews needed.

While auditors strive for fairness, equal time for each interviewee is not guaranteed, and paying attention to each individual is more difficult in a group setting.

The purpose of a Stage 1 third-party audit is to determine an organization’s readiness for their Stage 2 Certification Audit. During the Stage 1, the auditor will review the organization’s management system documented information, evaluate the site-specific conditions, and have discussions with personnel. The objective is to assess the alignment of the organization’s design with ISO 9001 requirements and to identify any areas of concern that could be classified as a nonconformance during the Stage 2 Audit. The auditor will also use the Stage 1 Audit to complete Stage 2 Audit planning, including a review of the allocation of resources and details for the next phase of the audit. Therefore, the option that best describes the purpose of a Stage 1 third-party audit is A, to determine the auditees understanding of ISO 9001. The other options are not correct, as they are not the main focus of a Stage 1 audit:

•B. To get to know the organization’s customers: This is not the purpose of a Stage 1 audit, as the auditor is not interested in the specific details of the organization’s customers, but rather in the organization’s ability to meet customer and applicable statutory and regulatory requirements.

•C. To learn about the organization’s procurement processes: This is not the purpose of a Stage 1 audit, as the auditor is not interested in the specific details of the organization’s procurement processes, but rather in the organization’s ability to control externally provided processes, products and services.

•D. To introduce the audit team to the client: This is not the purpose of a Stage 1 audit, as the auditor is not there to make introductions, but rather to conduct a preliminary examination of the organization’s compliance with ISO 9001 standards.

According to ISO 9001:2015, clause 4.3, the organization is required to determine the scope of its quality management system (QMS) by considering the external and internal issues referred to in clause 4.1. Clause 4.1 requires the organization to determine the external and internal issues that are relevant to its purpose and strategic direction, and that affect its ability to achieve the intended results of its QMS. These issues can include positive and negative factors or conditions for consideration, such as legal, technological, competitive, market, cultural, social, and economic environments, whether international, national, regional, or local. The organization is also required to monitor and review these issues.

Therefore, the correct answer is C, as external issues of the organization’s context are one of the factors that must be considered when determining the scope of the QMS. The other options are either not directly related to the scope of the QMS, or are not explicitly mentioned in clause 4.3.

A Stage 1 audit is a preliminary assessment to evaluate the readiness of the organisation for the Stage 2 certification audit. The audit scope is defined by the audit client and the certification body based on the application and the contract. If the organisation wants to include a new work area that was not part of the original scope, the auditor should advise the Quality Manager that an extension of the scope is possible but will have to go through established procedures, such as submitting a formal request, providing relevant information, and paying additional fees. The auditor should also suggest that the Quality Manager will advise the programme manager, who is responsible for managing the audit programme, that the audit scope should be revised to include the new work area. The programme manager will then decide whether to approve or reject the request, and communicate the decision to the auditor and the Quality Manager. The auditor should not proceed with the audit of the new work area without the approval of the programme manager and the confirmation of the audit scope. 1234 References:

1: ISO 19011:2018 - Guidelines for auditing management systems

2: ISO 9001 Certification Audits | Stage 1 and Stage 2 - 9001. Simplified

3: What is the difference between Stage 1 and Stage 2 Audits? - ISO Update

4: Getting Certified to ISO 9001 - the Stage 1 Audit

Comprehensive and Detailed In-Depth Explanation:

ISO 9001:2015 is based on seven quality management principles, one of which is Relationship Management. This principle emphasizes the importance of maintaining open communication and collaboration with interested parties, including suppliers and customers.

Clause 7.4 (Communication) requires organizations to determine what, when, with whom, and how communication should take place. Since AL-TAX failed to ensure clear communication channels, it did not adhere to this principle. Effective relationship management helps improve supply chain performance, customer satisfaction, and overall QMS effectiveness.