Auditor is my previous job, but still practicing until now. This is one of the basic skill every one should have in any field. For instances, as a manager, how do you know the system in place, or being corrected, or improved?
However, in my 15 years experiences, I observe, there are at least 3 things you should not do as a good auditor. Below are the reasons,
However, in my 15 years experiences, I observe, there are at least 3 things you should not do as a good auditor. Below are the reasons,
- Do not be a “know it all”. Quite often I met with auditors though they have strong experiences in the audit field, they thought that they know everything that allowed him/her to suggest a solution to the auditee. Even if you know and expert, you should not do that because it is the auditees’ responsibility to find out the solution for him/her self, not the auditor. If you do that, then the ownership of the solution will be on your side, not on your auditee side as it should be. And the dangerous situation is when your suggestion is not aplicable, then the respect of your auditee will gone forever, meaning your career is dead already.
- Do not be arrogant. As an auditor, you can pass or fail the audit. It is a tempting situation that easily can change the behaviour of the auditor to become arrogant. Please do not be. If you want to be a successful auditor, you must keep professional. The audit process must refer to facts finding, and the finding must refer to audit criteria. Do not refer to your own presume or criteria. Most of the auditees will act meekly, but when they realize your assessment neglect the criteria of audit, they will fight back, if they raise up the situation, then your career is completely finish.
- Do not focus on minor thing. Many auditors I work with, often trap on the minor issues other than major issue that create frustation situation within auditee. Minor issue is very tricky. It relate to own’s perception that would be very challenging to deal with. It is totally different with critical and major issues that easily can be identified. I myself use difference approach for minor issues. For me, it is improvement matter rather than compliance – and in fact, it is. As Pareto principle, focus on critical issues first, then go next to major ones. Both issues need more commitment and attention with a very small tolerance. But when it goes to minor issues, be a little bit relax, this is improvement matter, not compliance, so encourage auditee to be creative and enjoy during the process.
If you can avoid do those 3 things, you will be very success in completing the audit process, and more important, you will successfully change the auditee behaviour significantly.