Method

The method of the audit is how it is going to be conduct. There are two primary methods of auditing and multiple sub variations of each.

In general, there are on-site audits. The auditor will travel to the location of the audit and physically conduct the audit there.

Then there are remote audits are performed online. Generally, the auditee will share documents and records where the auditor will review them offline and then meet with the auditor virtually over an app such as Zoom for interviewing and inspections.

!Either audit method can be used for any party of audit. One is not inherently “better” than the other!

In the past, remote audits were not preferred by the industry. Onsite audits were seen as better and as able to be more thorough and provide better value for the time invested. However, once the pandemic hit the industry was forced to adapt in many cases to only utilize remote audit methods. As a result remote audit techniques have been foreced to become equally as viable as onsite audits.

Which audit method is most appropriate will vary by audit. It may be necessary to conduct an onsite audit to better observe a suppliers production process. On the other hand it may not be necessary to be onsite to conduct a maintenance audit on a low risk supplier with a long history of excellent performance. Your audit program will need to make the determination as to what audit method is best at the time.

Methods may also be combined. I have assisted a client through a 3rd party audit where the accreditation body had 2 on-site auditors and 1 remote. Building the logistics of supporting both audit methods into your audit program also allows for building a more versatile audit team. Flights, hotels, and meals can be expensive when you multiply those costs per auditor. Mixing audit methods allows for having on-site auditors, and utilizing subject matter experts for shorter periods of time without paying for their travel.

Also consider the opposite perspective, you may have a mix of on-site and remote staff. Can your audit program accomodate the remote staff participating in an audit?