Who is the BEST person to conduct an internal audit if the internal audit procedure was written by an external consultant?

The best choice for conducting an internal audit when the procedure was written by an external consultant is a document control manager. This role is particularly suited for the task because the document control manager typically possesses a strong understanding of the organization’s documentation processes and control systems. They are familiar with the policies, procedures, and regulations set forth in documents created by external consultants and can effectively evaluate how well these are being followed within the organization.

In addition, the document control manager is tasked with ensuring that all documentation—including internal audit procedures—is adequately managed and compliant. This positions them to provide an objective assessment of adherence to the written procedure, identifying any gaps or areas for improvement in implementation. Their specialized knowledge makes them well-equipped to perform the audit with a critical eye towards documentation consistency and regulatory compliance.

The other roles, while important, may not have the same level of focus on the detailed documentation and procedural nuances necessary for a thorough internal audit in this context. A regulatory/quality consultant may have expertise but is not necessarily embedded in the internal processes, and a quality manager or quality inspector may focus more on operational quality than on documentation integrity and compliance. Therefore, the document control manager is ideally suited for the audit role in this scenario.