KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT AUDITS VERSUS ISO CONFORMANCE AUDITS

 

In the world of Knowledge Management there are some audit types that many confuse with an ISO Knowledge Management systems audit. These are the “knowledge audit” or “knowledge management audit” which are conducted by KM consultants – not ISO certified auditors. Knowledge and knowledge management audits do not compare organization activities against a defined standard or an approved set of criteria and therefore are NOT conformance audits.

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ISO CONFORMANCE AUDITS

 

ISO conformance audits are done by ISO certified auditors and are solely focused on determining whether a given program meets ISO standard requirements. Successful ISO auditees receive a certificate stating that an organization’s knowledge management program meets all the requirements of ISO 30401. This can give them a competitive advantage over their competitor.

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WHAT KMHR WILL DO

 

Certified KMHR Systems Auditors will examine all or part of your knowledge management program and evaluate it against all or part of the ISO 30401 Standard. This can be a precertification assessment, a certification audit or a follow up audit. Although in person audits are preferred, KM/HR Systems Auditors can do virtual audits. A complete certification audit is expected to take approximately two weeks with two auditors. Please contact our business manager Judy Feigenson for more information.

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BEWARE OF CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

 

ISO auditors are bound by a strict policy regarding conflicts of interest. Auditors are prohibited from consulting their auditees and consultants are prohibited from auditing their clients. Ethical auditors will maintain their independence and not make recommendations on HOW to resolve audit issues – that is the responsibility of the auditee. Auditors who violate the conflict of interest policy will have their certification revoked.