Certified Quality Auditor (CQA) Prasctice Exam

If a proposed corrective action plan is deemed unacceptable, what should an auditor do first?

1. Revise the submitted plan based on the auditor's expertise

2. Notify the auditee to submit a new plan

3. Discuss the plan's deficiencies with the auditee

4. Suggest benchmarking to the auditee

The correct answer is: Discuss the plan's deficiencies with the auditee

When a proposed corrective action plan is deemed unacceptable, the auditor's first step should be to discuss the plan's deficiencies with the auditee. This approach is essential because it fosters open communication between the auditor and the auditee, allowing the auditee to understand exactly why the plan does not meet the required standards or expectations. By discussing the specific deficiencies, the auditor helps the auditee gain insights into the issues at hand, which could include unclear objectives, inadequate resources, insufficient timelines, or failure to address the root cause of the problem. This dialogue is important because it not only clarifies the expectations but also encourages the auditee to take ownership of the corrections needed. Ultimately, this collaborative effort is likely to lead to a more effective and acceptable corrective action plan. While revising the plan on behalf of the auditee might seem helpful, it can lead to dependency rather than encouraging the auditee to independently create solutions. Notifying the auditee to submit a new plan is a less effective approach, as it does not provide valuable feedback and may overlook critical areas for improvement. Suggesting benchmarking could be useful later on but is not the immediate step required to address the deficiencies in the plan itself. Therefore, engaging in a discussion about the plan's weaknesses