Audit Scenario – Providing Resources
By Lynn Clyde, BRC Quality Consultant
The following is a typical auditing scenario that might be found when auditing an ISO 9001:2008 quality management system for clause 6.1 Provision of Resources. Read the scenario to determine if you think it would be conforming or nonconforming, then read the answer and explanation.
Support Information – ISO 9001:2008 Clause 6.1
The organization shall determine and provide the resources needed
a) to implement and maintain the quality management system and continually improve its effectiveness, and
b) to enhance customer satisfaction by meeting customer requirements.
Scenario
When interviewing the operations manager, the auditor asked to see evidence of determining and providing resources for the quality management system. The operations manager said this is done as part of the management review meetings.
Upon reviewing the minutes of the last meeting, the auditor noticed that there were no resources identified. The manager said “as you can see here in the minutes, it says we determined that no resources were necessary for this year”. The auditor said that resources should always be required for the quality management system and this would be written as a non-conformance.
Answer
Conforming to Clause 6.1a.
Explanation
This clause requires that the organization determine whether or not resources are required. If it is determined that resources are required, they shall provide them. Resources may be determined in many ways: strategic planning, budgeting, production planning, project planning, quality planning and management review, to name a few.
Evidence may be shown by reviewing the documents or minutes of meetings.
