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.
[References:, •ISO 19011:2018 Guidelines for auditing management systems, Clause 6.4.2: Conducting audit activities, Subclause i) and j), •ISO 9001 Lead Auditor Course Material, Module 5: Conducting an Audit, Slide 19: Audit Team Meeting, •ISO 9001 Lead Auditor Training Course - IRCA Certified, Section 5.4: Audit Team Meeting, •Lead Auditor Exam Preparation Guide (EPG) Template - PECB, Section 3.2: Exam Content Outline, Subsection 3.2.1: Section 1 - Audit Fundamentals, Subsection 3.2.2: Section 2 - Audit Principles, Subsection 3.2.3: Section 3 - Audit Process, Subsection 3.2.4: Section 4 - Audit Competencies, , , ]
