Certified Quality Auditor (CQA) Prasctice Exam

While performing an internal audit, an auditor notices that an operator on one shift skips part of the documented procedure. In this situation, the auditor should do which of the following?

1. Make a note on the checklist and initial it.

2. Report it to the operator's supervisor or manager.

3. Question the operator about the observation.

4. Ask another operator to evaluate the situation.

The correct answer is: Question the operator about the observation.

In this scenario, questioning the operator about the observation is a proactive and respectful approach to understanding the situation. This allows the auditor to gather direct information on why the operator is skipping part of the documented procedure. It provides an opportunity for the operator to explain their actions, which could reveal whether the omission is a result of a misunderstanding, a legitimate modification to the procedure, or a potential risk to the quality of the process. Engaging with the operator fosters open communication and may lead to important insights about the effectiveness of the documented procedure itself. It can also help identify if there are systemic issues, such as inadequate training or unclear documentation, that need to be addressed. By questioning the operator, the auditor collects information firsthand, which is essential for a thorough and credible audit process. This approach promotes continuous improvement by allowing potential issues to surface and be corrected. The other responses, while they might seem valid, do not facilitate direct understanding of the operator's actions or contribute to improving the overall procedure. For instance, simply making a note without further inquiry does not address the underlying issue, and reporting the observation without context isn’t constructive without first attempting to understand the root cause. Likewise, asking another operator to evaluate the situation diverts the focus from the person directly involved