I don't know what a NADCAP audit, but will look it up later.
If NADCAP is anything like other audits (AISC, ASME, etc), then the best you can do is relax, review your audit criteria, do a self-audit, organize your files so you can lay your hands on what you need, and don't try to hard to anticipate how the audit will go.
On the day of the audit, anything you didn't prepare for is too late at that point. Litle details slip by all of us and a good auditor will know the difference between a glitch and a major non-conformance.
I have not seen any audit fail unless the auditee clearly had no business applying for the audit in the first place. At worst, there may be a few Corrective Action Requests to address. Possibly a re-audit would need to be scheduled in extreme cases, depending on the audit program. At best, you pass with flying colors.
Even though I would like to pass an audit with no concerns noted, if the auditor doesn't have a few concerns I have to wonder how good the audit actually was.
Hope that helps, but it sounds like you will do well.
Chet Guilford
I'm not familiar with NADCAP either, but every audit I've sat through has been based on the following.
Your Quality System / Procedures contain at least the minimum requirements as detailed in the applicable standard.
You adequately say what you do and do what you said you will.
You have faithfully kept up ALL of the documentain required to prove the above.
Other that that, I couldn't give any advice without knowing something about NADCAP.
Speaking of audits...
I'm looking for an AISC auditor who would like to take on a little side job of reviewing my Quality System (MB Category) before I submit the application to AISC for certification. Just to make sure I've got all my ducks in a row.
Anybody interested?
Thanks,
Tim Gary
OUS45:
I have been through many audits, From ASME to the dreaded NADCAP. As with most that have been through them the key is who your Auditor is. He/She can be very good and simple or they can be very difficult to deal with and anal!. This will either be a start-up NADCAP audit which will be 3-4 days or a follow-up which will 2 days. If a follow-up the first thing the auditor will cover is previous findings and they will be an assho(*& about it if they have not been addressed in detail. Other than that what the other comments have stated are true. Do not get excited but be prepared to cover all aspects of your quality and manufacturing processes. For an audit of this importance typically there is a seperate QA type there (from your end) to cover the Quality requirements and you the welding person for the special processes issues. Make sure you complete the pre-audit questions and survey they send you and have it ready for him/her.
Hope this helps
Bulldog, OSU in 1993
[quote]Even though I would like to pass an audit with no concerns noted, if the auditor doesn't have a few concerns I have to wonder how good the audit actually was.[/quote]
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