OCAP – Internal Audit
The OCAP “Risk Factor” criteria relating to internal audit performance is:
| AS9104/1A, Table 5 - Internal audit program risk analysis | ||
|---|---|---|
| Internal Audit Program | Risk | Characteristics |
| High Performing Audit Program | Low | • Properly resourced audit program • Multi-event audit program, audit full QMS annually • Audit program driven by risk and data • Effective corrective action program |
| Average Audit Program | Medium | • Limited resources for audit program • Internal audit is an annual event • Full QMS is covered annually • Conforming corrective action program |
| Low Performing Audit Program | High | • Audit program is not properly resourced • Primarily desktop audits • Audit program does not prevent major nonconformities from third-party audits • Full QMS not covered annually • Ineffective corrective action program |
Strategy
- To ensure a “Properly resourced audit program”, have more than one qualified internal auditor. If your company has limited resources, then consider outsourcing either a portion or the entirety of the internal audit program to a company that specializes in quality auditing… and can support AS9100 internal auditing activities (e.g., Quality Auditing, LLC).
- The criterion relating to a “Multi-event audit program, audit full QMS annually” means that, in order to be classified as a low risk, the company must “spread out” their internal audits over the course of a year (e.g., Quarterly, Monthly). For small companies, this could be difficult, but with only two or three core processes, these could be broken out to be 2 or 3 separate audits (with separate audit reports).
- The criterion relating to an “Audit program driven by risk and data” is not defined AS9104/1A. For further guidance see Risk-Based Internal Audits. And use my free “Risk-Based Audit Planning Criteria” form (in MS Word).
- The best way to ensure that you have an “effective corrective action program”, is to avoid engaging in Corrective Action "Whac-A-Mole".
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