COURSE OVERVIEW:

The meaning of this course lies in the development of the professional authority required to evaluate and certify the technical competence of testing and calibration laboratories. A Lead Auditor is more than a checker; they are a critical observer of "Organizational Health" who ensures that a laboratory’s quality system is not just a document, but a living practice. This program provides the advanced auditing techniques, psychological skills, and deep regulatory knowledge necessary to lead formal assessments that are recognized by international accreditation bodies.

The scope of the training addresses the "Process Approach" to auditing as defined by ISO 19011, applied specifically to the technical requirements of ISO/IEC 17025:2017. It covers the management of an audit program, the formulation of "Technical Findings," and the evaluation of the laboratory’s "Risk-Based Thinking." Participants will explore the entire assessment lifecycle, from the "Document Review" and "Opening Meeting" to the final "Closing Meeting" and the verification of "Corrective Actions."

The coverage includes a comprehensive investigation into the evidence-gathering process, focusing on how to audit "Personnel Competency," "Method Validation," and "Metrological Traceability." The course emphasizes the art of professional communication, the management of difficult audit situations, and the objective determination of "Major" versus "Minor" non-conformities. By mastering these Lead Auditor skills, participants will be able to provide the definitive judgment necessary to uphold the integrity of the global laboratory accreditation infrastructure.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

After completion of this course, the participants will be able to:

• Define the roles and responsibilities of the ISO 17025 Lead Auditor.
• Apply the ISO 19011 guidelines to the management of lab audits.
• Conduct a thorough "Document Review" (Stage 1 audit).
• Plan and execute a "Technical On-Site" assessment (Stage 2 audit).
• Utilize the "Vertical Audit" technique to trace sample lifecycles.
• Gather objective evidence through interviews and observations.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of the lab’s "Risk Management" process.
• Formulate clear, concise, and defensible "Non-Conformity Reports" (NCRs).
• Manage the "Audit Team" and coordinate multiple assessors.
• Lead professional "Opening" and "Closing" meetings with management.
• Verify the effectiveness of the laboratory’s "Corrective Actions."
• Deliver a final "Audit Report" that satisfies accreditation requirements.

TARGET AUDIENCE:

This course is intended for Quality Managers, Technical Assessors, Senior Consultants, and Laboratory Directors seeking to become certified Lead Auditors.

TRAINING COURSE METHODOLOGY:

A highly interactive combination of lectures, discussion sessions, and case studies will be employed to maximize the transfer of information, knowledge, and experience. The course will be intensive, practical, and highly interactive. The sessions will start by raising the most relevant questions and motivating everybody to find the right answers. The attendants will also be encouraged to raise more of their questions and to share in developing the right answers using their analysis and experience. There will also be some indoor experiential activities to enhance the learning experience. Course material will be provided in PowerPoint, with necessary animations, learning videos, and general discussions.

The course participants shall be evaluated before, during, and at the end of the course.

COURSE CERTIFICATE:

National Consultant Centre for Training LLC (NCC) will issue an Attendance Certificate to all participants completing a minimum of 80% of the total attendance time requirement.