A pre-assessment is an assessment of the certification audit readiness. It is a broad overview of the readiness of the quality management system for the actual certification audit.
It is optional but it is highly recommended for organizations that are beginning their certification process. This assessment helps the organization to identify potential areas of non-conformance that may arise later during the actual certification audit without being cited. This will give you an opportunity to correct them prior to a formal certification audit.
BENEFITS OF PRE-ASSESSMENTS:
- Identifies your quality system strengths and weaknesses
- Let you gain an understanding of the registrars’ auditing process
- Allows you to gain experience in handling an audit and working with auditors
- Aids in eliminating unnecessary preparations for the registration audit
- Reduces time and money needed to become certified
- Eliminate unnecessary preparations for the certification audit.
- Identifies your quality management system strengths and weaknesses
- If performed by a certified auditor, the pre-assessment will satisfy your annual requirement for an internal audit.
The following are ABC’s pre-audit activities:
OPENING MEETING: Meeting with your management team to go over the pre-audit process.
DOCUMENTATION REVIEW: The audit team will review your procedures and documented quality system to measure compliance with the applicable standard.
QUALITY SYSTEM ASSESSMENT: The audit team will observe your facility, conduct interviews with your staff and management, request documents and examine equipment to measure compliance to the standard.
CLOSING MEETING: The audit team will present the findings both verbally and in a written report. A summary of strengths and actual/potential system nonconformities will be presented. Corrective action is not necessary for nonconformities uncovered during a preassessment.