During the course of my 25 year career in QA/QC, I have hosted and/or participated in an estimated 70 audits. This includes both certification and customer audits. Over the course of those years, my approach has changed quite a bit. Early on, I would approach audits with angst and trepidation. In other words, I would dread them. But over the years, experience (and yes age) has changed that view, as I now see audits as tools for improvement. I’ve also come to realize that auditors are people too and not to be feared—especially since I have conducted many audits myself.
