View from inside - Day in the life of a QMS assessor

A typical day with Margo Logie, one of our QMS assessors

A typical day as an LRQA assessor? This isn’t easy to describe as one of the best things about this role is the clients that I visit are so varied. However, whether a multinational or a small business, you still have to get there and this can mean a long journey which doesn’t always go to plan. This is where my favourite CD at full blast comes in very handy!

On arriving, I always start with an opening meeting to discuss the plan for the day’s assessment. This is a good opportunity to find out about the business and what has changed since the last visit.

There are few jobs where you can walk into a company, ask to speak to the top management about the business’ plans and performance and almost always be welcomed with open arms.

If this is the first visit to a company, day one could be spent reviewing process and policy documents before heading off into each section or department to see how things operate in practice. Interviewing staff always proves interesting. Some people are nervous and need to be put at ease; others go into so much detail you need to politely curb their enthusiasm!

We often revisit the same companies, which can be very rewarding. Working with people over time we help, where we can, with the development of the business through the implementation and improvement of processes and procedures to ensure customers and stakeholders’ needs are met. So, we get to see first hand the difference that we, as assessors, are actually making.

At the end of the assessment, I write up the report, discuss any findings and possible actions with the clients before saying goodbye and heading back home.

Driving home gives me time to think over the day. I always love it, when, if I have identified weaknesses, the client thanks me just as profusely as when I haven’t! Because I’ve worked with them throughout the day to understand the issues I get satisfaction out of helping them resolve any problems they might have for the benefit of the business.

Margo has been with LRQA since May 1999 and is based in Scotland

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