AUDIT QUESTIONS FOR TOP MANAGEMENT

Hard questions for some managers (Section 5.1 of ISO 9001:2015)

• What evidence would I find that you, Mr. Top Manager, have taken accountability for the
effectiveness of the qms?
• Tell me how the policy and the objectives are compatible with the context of the
organization? What is the strategic direction of the organization? Explain how the policy
and objectives parallel this strategic direction.
• How are the QMS processes integrated into the business processes?
• What methods are used by you to promote the use of process approach and risk-based
thinking? (What is the process approach? What is risk-based thinking?)
• How do you ensure resources needed are available?
• How do you communicate the importance of an effective quality management and
conforming to quality management system requirements?
• What is the intended result of the QMS? Is it achieving its intended results
• How do you engage people to contribute to the effectiveness of the qms? How do they
know this is what you want?
• What drives improvement in the organization?
• How do you ensure other managers demonstrate leadership and commitment and would
answer these questions the same way?