How do I perform an effective internal QMS audit for a fully remote workforce?

All answers to this question.

Remote auditing requires more preparation than on-site visits. Start by requesting access to their shared drives or EQMS at least a week in advance to perform a "desk audit." During the live interview, use screen-sharing to have the auditee walk you through their workflow in real-time. For physical processes, have them use a mobile camera to show you their workspace or storage areas. The "Human Element" is key—look for signs of siloing. Since you can't walk the floor, ask more "open-ended" questions to see if their verbal descriptions match the digital records you reviewed earlier.

   Answered 2024-10-12 by Karen Douglas

How do you handle the "vibe" of an audit remotely? On-site, you can tell if someone is nervous or hiding something. Do you find that remote audits are too "rehearsed" or scripted?

   Answered 2024-11-02 by George Harris

• George, you have to be more observant of delays. If someone takes 10 minutes to find a document they should have at their fingertips, that’s a red flag. I also like to do "Spot Checks"—randomly asking to see a record that wasn't on the original request list. This forces them to show how the system works in the moment rather than presenting a pre-prepared folder. You may lose some body language, but digital breadcrumbs like file "last modified" dates often tell a much more honest story than a nervous face.

     Commented 2024-11-10 by Paul Nelson

We used Microsoft Teams for the whole audit. Being able to record the sessions made it much easier to write the final audit report because I could go back and check the exact wording.

   Answered 2024-11-20 by Kimberly Clark

• Recording is a lifesaver, Kimberly! It also serves as great evidence for external auditors to prove that your internal audit was thorough and followed a proper methodology.

     Commented 2024-11-25 by Susan Mitchell