Scheduling of Management Review in relation to Unannounced audit
is that the only time of the year management is involved? Do you have monthly meetings as well?
I am a big fan of keeping your own schedule regardless of certifications (you are performing a management review for your own benefit, not to please a auditor). I had a audit come a bit early where the ''new'' management review hadn't taken place yet, while the last one was already reviewed by last years audit. It was fine, no NC. Be able to show that you keep your frequency, that you have your monitoring data and show that you have planned the review. Make sure your report on your last management review is complete. If there were any changes to your certification standard which included any changes regarding Management Review, make sure your new SOP shows that as well.
I do two a year, so never have to worry about it. But we're a small place and we can whip thru our review really quickly.
We have a couple of sites that have had their unannounced audits and haven't moved their review and it wasn't an issue. As someone else said, there are other meetings throughout the year they can speak to, just not the formal Management Review.
One thing to keep in mind is depending on your policy/process if you move it up you need to keep in mind the timing of it for next year again. If you say you have it annually you need to be sensitive as to not having it "late" next year in order to keep it closer to your normal audit date.
Thank you so much for you so useful input.
During the year period of course we have other meetings that management attend so I think it doesn't matter if we keep the same schedule.
Some sites are subject to multiple unannounced audits. The system you have is yours not the certification body's nor the standard owners. Unless the requirements change, and your system has passed muster before, keep doing what you do
SQF requires it to be reviewed annually. So long as you've got one in the past year, it's fine to show that you've got another one scheduled after your audit window.
That said, I'd make sure that your PRP programs have been put through trend analysis and shown to/reviewed by relevant management prior to the audit window. This also gives you opportunity to catch any negative trends you need to issue CAPAs for. I would include the company's FSO's in on this type of review (even if they're measured on the calendar year so at least you can show the auditor whether you're on track to meet them or not).