Audit Planning
What should auditors think about when planning onsite visits?
Weather, site access, and how the site actually operates.
What attitude should auditors have during fieldwork?
Stay open-minded and flexible.
Why is proper documentation critical to audit conclusions?
It supports traceability, defensibility, and audit reliability.
What practice strengthens audit quality during risk assessment discussions?
Encouraging everyone to share and challenge ideas.
What risk occurs when testing is different across sites but not documented?
Inconsistent quality oversight and increased operational risk.
What helps keep audit work moving when a team member is away?
Clear handover notes about completed work and open items.
What should auditors do if actual practices don’t match procedures?
Ask for supporting documents or document the explanation.
What documentation issue limited traceability of jet fuel testing results?
Missing or unlinked BOL numbers and test results.
Why should team members challenge impact and risk ratings?
To avoid bias and missed risks.
What lesson was learned from undocumented density variance handling?
Unclear escalation leads to traceability and quality risks
Why should auditors recheck samples if more testing is needed?
To make sure the samples are still appropriate and enough are tested.
Why shouldn’t auditors rely only on what people say?
Explanations may not accurately reflect actual practices or controls in place.
What lesson was learned from inconsistent or missing test records?
Undocumented testing increases risk of undetected quality issues.
What did the team learn about relying on one person’s judgment?
Team input leads to stronger and more defensible decisions
Why is documenting retests and corrective actions critical?
To support and defend fuel quality decisions.
What should auditors do if their original samples can’t be used?
Ask the business for additional samples.
What was learned from different testing practices at SJR and HHT?
Differences need to be documented because they increase risk.
Why should escalation rules be clearly written in procedures?
So people know when and how to escalate issues.
How can handover notes support team effectiveness beyond vacation coverage?
Handover notes supports continuity, clarity, and efficient onboarding for others
What broader risk is created by incomplete driver training records?
Drivers may not perform procedures correctly.
What planning practice helps avoid rework and safety issues?
Planning audits around real operating and site conditions.
What should auditors do if they discover systems not mentioned before (like BLISS)?
Revisit the audit scope and testing approach.
What documentation practice helps defend decisions during disputes or regulatory reviews?
Complete, accurate, and consistent recording of testing, variances, and approvals
What team behavior helps uncover control gaps that may otherwise be missed?
Actively questioning, validating, and corroborating information
What overarching lesson ties together documentation gaps, training issues, and testing inconsistencies?
Strong controls need consistent execution and documentation.