HOW TO AUDIT TOP MANAGEMENT

Most of all, come prepared. Read all relevant procedures, the quality manual, and review any management review records before your audit. Have specific questions ready based on this evidence. Don’t nitpick them but make sure that they end up understanding that they should have adequate knowledge of these documents and records.

I would primarily focus on questions related to how they deploy the quality policy and corporate objectives throughout the company.

Also make sure that they are knowledgeable of their customers' feedback. Come prepared with copies of all relevant customer feedback (customer report cards, surveys, etc.). Review this data prior to the audit if possible and have some specific questions related to any issue or anomalies. See ISO 9001, clause 5.2

Focus them on the 8 Quality Management Principles that ISO 9001 is based on. I like to test their understanding of these and what processes they use to "cascade them throughout the organization". See ISO 9001 clause 0.3 NOTE

Data analysis is a critical audit trail to demonstrate "Factual approach to decision making". Audit this thoroughly if you can.

Have them provide evidence that their communication processes are effective and that employees are aware of how they impact the quality objectives. (ISO 9001, clauses 5.5.3 & 6.2.2d)

Resource allocation is also an interesting audit trail...

Above all make sure that you get to see objective evidence that supports their answers. Top management gets through audits too many times by storytelling without having to show evidence of what they claim is happening.

Hope this helps and let me please know if you need any more assistance.

Good luck!
Ankur Dhir