ISO 19011:2018 Clause 7.2.3.5 Knowledge and skills for auditing multiple disciplines

When auditing multiple discipline management systems, the audit team member should have an understanding of the interactions and synergy between the different management systems. Audit team leaders should understand the requirements of each of the management system standards being audited and recognize the limits of their competence in each of the disciplines.
NOTE Audits of multiple disciplines done simultaneously can be done as a combined audit or as an audit of an integrated management system that covers multiple disciplines.

When auditing multiple discipline management systems, the audit team member should have an understanding of the interactions and synergy between the different management systems. Understanding the interactions and synergy between different management systems is crucial when auditing multiple discipline management systems. Here are key considerations for audit team members in this context:

1. Interdisciplinary Knowledge: Audit team members should possess knowledge in the various disciplines related to the management systems being audited. This includes an understanding of quality management, environmental management, occupational health and safety, information security, and other relevant disciplines.
2. Integrated Management Systems (IMS): Familiarity with the concept of Integrated Management Systems (IMS) is important. An IMS combines multiple management systems into a unified framework, emphasizing synergy and efficiency. Team members should understand how different systems are integrated to achieve common objectives.
3. Cross-Functional Processes: Understanding cross-functional processes is crucial. Team members should be aware of how processes in one discipline may impact or be impacted by processes in other disciplines. This includes recognizing interdependencies and potential conflicts.
4. Risk Interconnections: Consideration of risks and opportunities across disciplines is essential. Team members should identify how risks and opportunities in one area may have cascading effects on other management systems. This holistic approach helps in formulating effective audit strategies.
5. Compliance and Conformance: Team members should evaluate compliance and conformance with standards and requirements in each discipline. This involves understanding the specific criteria for each management system and ensuring that integrated processes meet the necessary standards.
6. Communication and Coordination: Effective communication and coordination among team members are key. Team members should collaborate to share insights, findings, and observations related to different management systems. Regular communication enhances the overall effectiveness of the audit.
7. Performance Metrics and Indicators: Team members should be familiar with performance metrics and indicators used in each discipline. This allows for a comprehensive assessment of performance and facilitates the identification of opportunities for improvement across systems.
8. Legal and Regulatory Compliance: Understanding the legal and regulatory landscape for each discipline is critical. Team members should be aware of the specific requirements imposed by relevant authorities and ensure that the organization is in compliance.
9. Continuous Improvement: A focus on continuous improvement is important. Team members should identify opportunities for enhancing the integration of management systems, streamlining processes, and optimizing the overall performance of the organization.
10. Auditor Collaboration: Collaboration among audit team members with expertise in different disciplines is essential. Team members should leverage each other’s knowledge and skills to conduct a comprehensive audit that covers all relevant management systems.
11. Documentation and Reporting: Comprehensive documentation and reporting are necessary. Team members should clearly articulate findings, observations, and recommendations for improvements in each discipline, highlighting potential cross-disciplinary impacts.
12. Training and Development: Continuous training and development in various management systems are important for audit team members. Staying updated on changes in standards and best practices ensures that the audit team remains well-equipped to assess multiple disciplines.
13. Cultural Sensitivity: Understanding the organizational culture is key. Team members should be culturally sensitive to the unique aspects of each discipline, recognizing how cultural factors may influence the implementation and effectiveness of management systems.

By fostering an understanding of the interactions and synergy between different management systems, audit team members contribute to a more holistic and integrated approach to auditing. This approach not only ensures compliance with individual standards but also promotes efficiency, effectiveness, and continuous improvement across the organization.

When auditing multiple discipline management systems, the audit team member should have an understanding of the interactions and synergy between the different management systems. When auditing multiple discipline management systems, it’s critical for audit team members to have a profound understanding of the interactions and synergy between these different systems. Here are key aspects to consider:

1. Interconnected Processes: Recognize how processes from one discipline interact with or impact processes from another. Understanding the flow of activities and information across different management systems is crucial for assessing overall effectiveness.
2. Common Objectives and Goals: Identify common objectives and goals shared among different management systems. This includes recognizing overarching organizational objectives and how individual disciplines contribute to their achievement.
3. Integration of Policies and Procedures: Evaluate the integration of policies and procedures across disciplines. This ensures consistency and coherence in the approach to managing various aspects, such as quality, environmental impact, occupational health and safety, and more.
4. Resource Optimization: Assess how resources (human, financial, technological) are shared or optimized across different management systems. Identify areas where integration can lead to more efficient resource utilization.
5. Risk and Opportunity Integration: Understand how risks and opportunities are identified, assessed, and managed across different disciplines. This involves recognizing potential synergies and addressing cross-disciplinary risks.
6. Data and Information Management: Consider how data and information are managed across different systems. Integration of data management practices can enhance decision-making and reporting capabilities.
7. Training and Competence Development: Assess how training and competence development are handled across various disciplines. Recognize opportunities for cross-disciplinary training that can enhance the skills of personnel working within integrated systems.
8. Communication Channels: Evaluate communication channels within the organization, ensuring that information flows efficiently among different management systems. Effective communication is vital for maintaining synergy and addressing challenges promptly.
9. Compliance with Standards: Ensure that each discipline adheres to its specific standards and regulatory requirements. Identify areas where compliance efforts can be streamlined or integrated to avoid redundancy.
10. Continuous Improvement Initiatives: Recognize how continuous improvement initiatives are managed across different disciplines. Encourage a culture of continuous improvement that permeates all management systems.
11. Leadership and Governance: Assess the leadership and governance structures supporting each discipline. Recognize how these structures contribute to overall organizational governance and whether there are opportunities for alignment.
12. Performance Measurement and Monitoring: Understand how performance is measured and monitored in each discipline. Identify key performance indicators and metrics that provide insights into the effectiveness of integrated processes.
13. Employee Engagement and Participation: Assess employee engagement and participation strategies across disciplines. Recognize the importance of involving employees from different areas in continuous improvement initiatives and decision-making processes.
14. Audit Team Collaboration: Foster collaboration among audit team members with expertise in different disciplines. This ensures that the audit team collectively possesses the knowledge required to comprehensively assess multiple management systems.
15. Cultural Integration: Consider organizational culture and how it integrates with different management systems. Recognize and address any cultural barriers that may affect the successful integration of processes and practices.

By having a deep understanding of the interactions and synergy between different management systems, audit team members can contribute to a more efficient, effective, and integrated approach to managing the organization’s various disciplines. This holistic perspective supports the organization in achieving its overarching objectives while ensuring compliance and continuous improvement across diverse areas.

Audits of multiple disciplines done simultaneously can be done as a combined audit or as an audit of an integrated management system that covers multiple disciplines. Audits of multiple disciplines done simultaneously can be conducted in two primary approaches: as a combined audit or as an audit of an integrated management system (IMS). Here’s an overview of each approach:

1. Combined Audit: In a combined audit, the audit team assesses each discipline separately but within the same timeframe. For example, there may be distinct audit sessions for quality management, environmental management, and occupational health and safety, all taking place during a single audit event.
   • Advantages:
     • Allows for a more focused examination of each discipline’s specific requirements.
     • Facilitates specialization, as auditors can be experts in their respective disciplines.
     • May be suitable when the organization prefers a detailed, discipline-specific evaluation.
   • Considerations:
     • Coordination is crucial to ensure that audit activities are well-synchronized.
     • Requires effective planning to manage time and resources efficiently.
     • The audited organization may need to accommodate multiple audit sessions.
2. Integrated Management System (IMS) Audit: In an IMS audit, the audit team evaluates multiple disciplines simultaneously within an integrated framework. The focus is on assessing how different management systems interact and contribute to overall organizational performance.
   • Advantages:
     • Promotes a holistic view of the organization’s management systems.
     • Emphasizes synergies and efficiencies in the integration of processes.
     • Reduces duplication of efforts, as common elements are assessed once.
   • Considerations:
     • Requires auditors with a broad understanding of various disciplines.
     • The audit team needs to assess both discipline-specific and integrated aspects.
     • Appropriate documentation and reporting frameworks should support the integrated approach.

Factors to Consider in Choosing the Approach:

1. Organizational Preferences: The choice between a combined audit and an IMS audit often depends on the organization’s preferences, management system maturity, and its approach to integration.
2. Resource Availability: Consider the availability of audit resources, including qualified auditors with expertise in the relevant disciplines. An integrated approach may require auditors with broader knowledge.
3. Audit Objectives: Clearly define the objectives of the audit. If the focus is on individual discipline performance, a combined audit may be suitable. If the emphasis is on synergy and integration, an IMS audit is more appropriate.
4. Management System Integration Level: Assess the degree of integration in the organization’s management systems. If there’s a high level of integration, an IMS audit may align well with the organization’s structure and practices.
5. Audit Scope and Complexity: Consider the scope and complexity of the audit. For organizations with multiple, well-established management systems, an IMS audit may provide a more comprehensive evaluation.
6. Regulatory and Certification Requirements: Check if regulatory and certification requirements influence the choice of audit approach. Some standards and regulations may have specific expectations regarding the assessment of integrated management systems.
7. Organizational Structure: The organization’s structure, including how different disciplines are managed, can impact the feasibility and effectiveness of each audit approach.

Both approaches have their merits, and the choice depends on the organization’s unique circumstances, goals, and the desired outcomes of the audit process. Effective planning and coordination are key elements in ensuring the success of either a combined audit or an IMS audit of multiple disciplines.