ISO 10011-2 1991 Audit Standard in Plain English

Guidelines for Selecting Quality Auditors

ALSO SEE  ISO 9001 2008 TRANSLATED INTO PLAIN ENGLISH

RELATED RESOURCES

 Plain English ISO Audit Tools and Programs

ISO 10011-1 1990 Auditing Standard in Plain English

ISO 10011-3 1991 Auditing Standard in Plain English

ISO 10011-2: 1991

Auditors must
be educated 

• Auditors must be reasonably well educated. Auditors must 
  have at least a high school diploma and be able to write
  and speak clearly and effectively.

ISO 10011-2: 1991

Auditors must
be trained 

• Auditors must be trained. They should know how to:

  • Use standards to evaluate quality systems.

  • Collect information, evaluate evidence, 
    make observations, and draw conclusions. 

  • Plan, organize, and manage an audit, and 
    prepare and deliver an audit report.

ISO 10011-2: 1991

Auditors must
be experienced 

• Auditors must be experienced. They should have:

  • Four years of work experience, including 
    two years in the quality assurance field. 

  • Participated in at least four quality 
    audits covering at least 20 days.

ISO 10011-2: 1991

Auditors must be
knowledgeable 

• Auditors must be knowledgeable. Their understanding 
  of quality systems, standards, and audit procedures 
  should be current and accurate.

ISO 10011-2: 1991

Auditors should
have character 

• Auditors should have character. They should be:

  • Fair

  • Calm

  • Logical

  • Sensitive

  • Intelligent

  • Analytical

  • Tenacious

  • Respectful

  • Trustworthy

  • Courageous

  • Open-minded

  • Single-minded

ISO 10011-2: 1991

Auditors should
have talent 

• Auditors should have talent. They should be able to:

  • Think in general terms. 

  • Make realistic evaluations. 

  • Analyze complex systems. 

  • Stay on track and finish the job.

  • Respect the feelings of all participants. 

  • Resist the pressure to change the truth. 

  • Manage personal and interpersonal stress.

  • Draw rational conclusions on the basis of evidence. 

  • Evaluate evidence in a fair and impartial manner. 

ISO 10011-2: 1991

Auditors should
be competent 

• Auditors should be competent. To assure competence:

  • Evaluate auditors at least every three years.

  • Confirm that auditors have current knowledge.

  • Make sure that auditors are trained and retrained.

  • Verify that auditors know all about:

    • Auditing methods and procedures.

    • Quality systems, standards, and requirements.

ISO 10011-2: 1991

Auditors should
be selected by
an evaluation
panel 

• Set up a panel of judges to evaluate auditor 
  qualifications and to select the best candidates. 

  • For an internal audit, panel members should be 
    selected by the auditee organization's management. 

  • For a customer audit, panel members should be 
    selected by the customer or his representative. 

  • For an independent audit, panel members should 
    be selected by a body that certifies auditors.

• Evaluate auditor candidates by:

  • Interviewing the candidates.

  • Examining their written work.

  • Checking with former employers.

  • Observing their work performance.

  • Reviewing their education and training.

ISO 10011-2: 1991

PRAXIOM RESEARCH GROUP LIMITED
9619 - 100A Street, Edmonton, Alberta, T5K 0V7, Canada
Telephone: (780)461-4514 info@praxiom.com

Updated on November 3, 2008. On the Web since May 25, 1997.