How to Measure Effective Performance Delivery During EASA Compliance Audits
Compliance Auditing brings with it the daily challenge of ensuring that the organisation remains at all times fully compliant with both internal and external obligations.
The Audit Management, Control and Oversight system should ensure that the established safety and quality procedures are fully complied with.
In addition :
a) To plan and deliver audits
b) To review findings
c) To perform root cause analysis and develop additional actions where necessary (under the specific control or guidance of the business area owner of post holder)
In an effective Quality Management System QMS monitoring is a continuous process. It is essential to ensure robust and continuous oversight of all internal processes, and procedures.
The various departments must continue to meet all applicable internal and EASA driven regulatory requirements.
A successful Quality System requires :
a) A fully functioning closed loop system or process which typically delivers compliance oversight processes
b) An effective environment for raising full awareness of discrepancies
c) An understanding of the appropriate remedial action or mitigation
By making the best possible use of Information and visibility of measuring systems it should be possible to reduce the cost of compliance without compromising either the overall product quality or the organisational risk and exposure.
Any issues which are raised as Corrective Actions need to be addressed by the business area owner in a timely and efficient manner.
All documentation must be controlled within the framework of the organisation, with status and revision control managed and periodically audited for full compliance.
Performance Measures
Typical measures include developing and ensuring the implementation of high standards for :
a) Audit strategy
b) Execution
c) Reporting
In addition, evidence should be available to ensure the integration of the audit strategy within the organization’s overall management strategy, in this way developing a direct link between the performance of the audit to the organization’s mission and objective.
Key Indicators of Compliance Audit performance measurement include :
a) Effectiveness of Compliance audit program covering all areas to include Process System and Product Audits
b) The Communication within the Audit to ensure an understanding within the business area regarding feedback of audit findings during audit
c) Duration and timeliness of the audit
d) Accuracy of audit finding
e) Value of the audit recommendation as well as value to the business
Management Evaluation
Whilst the Quality Assurance Process is independent and designed to ensure regulatory compliance, notice should also be paid to the management’s expectations and achievements. The Accountable Manager (AM) and executive team rightly expect auditors to clearly understand the need to ensure the overall effectiveness of the organisation
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