The core of auditing ISO 17100:2015 lies in verifying that the translation service provider (TSP) has established, implemented, maintained, and continually improved a management system for translation services. A key aspect of this is ensuring that the TSP effectively manages its human resources, particularly the core competencies required for translation, revision, and proofreading. Clause 6.2.1 of ISO 17100:2015 mandates that TSPs shall ensure that personnel involved in the translation process possess the necessary linguistic and subject-matter competence. This includes ensuring that translators have the required skills for the specific translation project. An auditor’s role is to verify that the TSP has processes in place to assess and maintain these competencies. Therefore, when auditing the TSP’s management of its translation resources, the auditor must focus on the documented evidence of how the TSP identifies, assesses, and monitors the linguistic and subject-matter competence of its translators for specific projects. This involves reviewing recruitment and selection processes, ongoing training and development records, and project-specific competency evaluations. The question probes the auditor’s understanding of where to find the most direct evidence of compliance with this critical requirement. The correct approach is to look for records that demonstrate the TSP’s proactive management of translator skills against project needs.

The core of ISO 17100:2015 is ensuring the quality and competence of translation services. A key aspect of this is the management of linguistic resources, particularly translators. Clause 6.2.2 of the standard outlines the requirements for translator competence, which includes education, linguistic and cultural equivalence, and subject-matter expertise. When auditing a translation service provider (TSP) against this clause, a lead auditor must verify that the TSP has a robust process for assessing and maintaining the competence of its translators. This involves examining evidence of their qualifications, experience, and ongoing professional development. The auditor would look for documented procedures for translator selection, evaluation, and feedback. Furthermore, the auditor must ensure that the TSP has mechanisms to address situations where a translator’s competence might be insufficient for a specific project, such as providing additional training or reassigning the work. The question probes the auditor’s understanding of how to verify the practical application of these requirements during an audit, focusing on the evidence needed to confirm compliance with the standard’s stipulations regarding translator competence and its impact on service quality. The correct approach involves assessing the documented processes and the evidence of their implementation, specifically how the TSP ensures that translators possess the necessary skills and knowledge for the tasks assigned, thereby safeguarding the quality of the translation output.

The core of a translation service provider’s (TSP) ability to manage linguistic quality and ensure client satisfaction hinges on the robust selection and ongoing evaluation of its human resources. ISO 17100:2015, specifically in clauses related to competence and resource management, mandates that TSPs must have processes in place to verify and maintain the qualifications of their translators, reviewers, and other personnel involved in the translation process. This includes ensuring they possess the necessary linguistic and subject-matter expertise, as well as the ability to use relevant technology. A lead auditor’s role is to verify that these processes are not only documented but are also effectively implemented and that evidence of their application is readily available. When auditing a TSP, the auditor must look for evidence of how the TSP assesses a translator’s ability to handle specific subject matter, their linguistic proficiency in the target language, and their understanding of translation principles. This assessment should go beyond simply checking academic degrees or certifications; it should involve practical evaluations, portfolio reviews, and potentially trial translations. The auditor must confirm that the TSP has a systematic approach to identifying potential gaps in competence and implementing corrective actions, such as providing training or assigning less complex tasks until proficiency is demonstrated. The absence of a structured process for evaluating and documenting the subject-matter expertise of translators for specialized domains, such as legal or medical translation, would represent a significant non-conformity against the standard’s requirements for ensuring the competence of personnel.

The core of this question lies in understanding the auditor’s role in verifying the competence of human resources involved in the translation process, as stipulated by ISO 17100:2015. Specifically, Clause 7.1.2 addresses the qualifications and competencies of translators. An auditor must assess whether the translation service provider (TSP) has established and maintains documented procedures for verifying and ensuring the ongoing competence of its translators. This verification should encompass linguistic and translation competence, subject-matter expertise where required, and appropriate technological skills. The auditor’s objective is to confirm that the TSP’s process effectively identifies and retains qualified individuals, rather than simply relying on self-declaration or a broad statement of capability. Therefore, examining the TSP’s documented procedures for assessing and confirming translator qualifications against the standard’s requirements, including evidence of such assessments, is the most direct and effective way to audit this aspect of the management system. This involves looking for evidence of how the TSP validates that translators possess the necessary skills, knowledge, and experience for the specific translation tasks they undertake.

The core of auditing ISO 17100:2015 lies in verifying the effective implementation and maintenance of the translation services management system (TSMS). A key aspect of this standard is ensuring that the organization has robust processes for managing linguistic resources, particularly translators. Clause 7.1.2, “Competence of linguistic resources,” mandates that the translation service provider (TSP) shall ensure that all linguistic resources possess the necessary qualifications and competencies for the specific translation service. This includes ensuring they have the appropriate educational background, training, and proven experience in the relevant language combination and subject field. Furthermore, the standard requires that the TSP maintains records of these qualifications. When auditing a TSP, a lead auditor must examine evidence that demonstrates this ongoing verification. This involves reviewing recruitment and selection procedures, qualification verification records (e.g., degrees, certifications, work samples), and ongoing performance evaluations. The auditor is not merely checking for the existence of a process but for its effective application and the documented evidence that supports it. Therefore, the most critical audit activity in this context is to verify that the TSP has a systematic approach to assessing and documenting the qualifications of its linguistic resources against the requirements of the specific translation projects undertaken. This ensures that the output quality is consistently met.

The core of ISO 17100:2015 is ensuring the quality and competence of translation services. Clause 5.3.2, “Competence of personnel,” mandates that all individuals involved in the translation process, including translators, reviewers, and project managers, must possess the necessary qualifications. For translators, this typically means a recognized degree in translation or a related linguistic field, or equivalent professional experience. Reviewers must have demonstrated expertise in both the source and target languages, as well as the subject matter. Project managers need to understand the translation process, client requirements, and resource management. A lead auditor’s role is to verify that the translation service provider (TSP) has established and implemented processes to assess and maintain the competence of its personnel against these requirements. This involves examining recruitment procedures, training records, performance evaluations, and ongoing professional development. The absence of documented evidence for assessing the linguistic and subject-matter competence of a key reviewer, particularly one assigned to a complex technical document, would represent a nonconformity against the standard’s requirements for ensuring qualified personnel. Therefore, identifying such a gap is a critical finding for a lead auditor.

The core of ISO 17100:2015 is ensuring the quality and competence of translation services. A key aspect of this is the qualification and ongoing assessment of human resources involved in the translation process. Clause 7.1.2, “Competence of personnel,” specifically addresses the requirements for translators, reviewers, and other personnel. For translators, the standard mandates appropriate linguistic and translation competence, as well as subject-matter expertise relevant to the translation task. This competence can be demonstrated through formal qualifications (e.g., a degree in translation or a related field), recognized professional accreditation, or equivalent documented experience. The auditor’s role is to verify that the translation service provider has established and implements procedures to ensure that all personnel involved meet these defined competence criteria for the specific services they provide. This involves examining records of qualifications, professional development, and performance evaluations. The question probes the auditor’s understanding of how to verify compliance with these personnel competence requirements, which is a fundamental aspect of auditing a translation service provider against ISO 17100:2015. The correct approach focuses on the direct verification of documented evidence of competence against the standard’s requirements for personnel involved in the translation process.

The core of ISO 17100:2015 is ensuring the quality and competence of translation services. Clause 5.2.1, “Competence of personnel,” mandates that all individuals involved in the translation process, including translators, reviewers, and project managers, must possess the necessary qualifications and experience. For translators, this typically means a recognized degree in translation or a related field, or equivalent professional experience. Reviewers also need specific linguistic and subject-matter expertise. Project managers require understanding of translation processes and client requirements. Clause 5.3.1, “Translation process,” outlines the steps from inquiry to delivery, emphasizing the need for qualified personnel at each stage. When auditing a translation service provider against these requirements, a lead auditor must verify that the organization has a robust system for assessing and documenting the competence of its personnel. This includes examining recruitment policies, training records, performance evaluations, and evidence of ongoing professional development. The auditor looks for documented proof that individuals assigned to specific tasks meet the competence criteria defined by the standard and the client’s specific needs. For instance, if a highly technical legal document is being translated, the auditor would seek evidence that the assigned translator and reviewer possess both legal subject-matter expertise and the required linguistic proficiency in both source and target languages. The absence of a formal process to verify translator qualifications or reliance solely on self-declaration without independent validation would represent a significant non-conformity. Therefore, the most critical aspect of auditing personnel competence under ISO 17100:2015 is the existence and effective implementation of a system that demonstrably ensures individuals possess the required skills and knowledge for their assigned roles.

The core of this question lies in understanding the auditor’s role in verifying the effectiveness of a translation service provider’s (TSP) process for managing linguistic data and terminology. ISO 17100:2015, specifically clause 5.4.2 “Linguistic data and terminology management,” mandates that TSPs establish and maintain processes for managing linguistic data and terminology. This includes the creation, maintenance, and utilization of termbases and translation memories (TMs). An auditor’s responsibility is to assess whether these processes are not only documented but also effectively implemented and consistently applied. This involves examining evidence of termbase creation and updates, checking for consistency in terminology usage across projects, and verifying that translators have access to and are utilizing these resources. The auditor must also confirm that the TSP has a system for incorporating client-specific terminology and that this is managed appropriately to ensure consistency and accuracy in translations for that client. Therefore, the most critical aspect for an auditor to verify is the tangible evidence of the termbase’s active use and its impact on translation quality and consistency, rather than just its existence or the number of entries. This directly relates to the TSP’s ability to deliver accurate and consistent translations, a fundamental requirement of the standard.

The core of ISO 17100:2015, particularly concerning the competence of human resources, is the requirement for translators to possess specific linguistic and translation skills, as well as cultural knowledge. Clause 5.2.1, “Competence of personnel,” outlines these requirements. A lead auditor must verify that the translation service provider (TSP) has robust processes for assessing and ensuring the ongoing competence of its translators. This involves examining evidence of qualifications, professional experience, and demonstrated ability in the relevant language pair and subject field. Furthermore, the standard emphasizes the importance of understanding the target audience and the purpose of the translation, which directly impacts the translator’s ability to produce an appropriate output. Therefore, when auditing the competence of a translator for a highly technical medical document, the auditor must look beyond mere linguistic fluency and assess the translator’s proven expertise in medical terminology, understanding of the specific medical field, and awareness of regulatory requirements pertinent to medical translations, such as those mandated by bodies like the FDA or EMA, which influence how such documents are presented and understood in the target market. The auditor’s focus is on the *demonstrated* ability to translate accurately and appropriately for the intended purpose and audience, which includes subject matter expertise and awareness of relevant regulatory contexts.

The core of ISO 17100:2015 is ensuring the quality and competence of translation services. Clause 5.2.1, “Competence of personnel,” mandates that all individuals involved in the translation process, including translators, reviewers, and project managers, must possess the necessary qualifications and skills. This includes linguistic and cultural competence in the source and target languages, as well as subject-matter expertise relevant to the content being translated. Furthermore, Clause 5.3.1, “Translation process,” outlines the requirement for a defined translation process that includes translation, review, and final verification. A lead auditor’s role is to verify that the translation service provider (TSP) has implemented and maintains these requirements effectively. When a TSP claims to use AI-assisted translation tools, the auditor must assess how these tools are integrated into the defined process and whether they impact the competence of personnel and the overall quality assurance. The use of AI tools does not negate the need for human oversight and validation, particularly concerning linguistic nuance, cultural appropriateness, and subject-matter accuracy. Therefore, the auditor must verify that the TSP has established procedures to ensure that AI-generated translations are adequately reviewed and validated by qualified human linguists, aligning with the standard’s emphasis on human competence and process integrity. The auditor’s focus remains on the *management system* and its ability to consistently deliver quality translations, regardless of the tools employed.

The core of auditing ISO 17100:2015 lies in verifying the effective implementation and maintenance of processes that ensure translation service quality. Clause 5.2.2 of the standard specifically addresses the competence of personnel involved in the translation process, including translators, revisers, and proofreaders. A lead auditor must assess whether the translation service provider (TSP) has established and maintains criteria for the selection and ongoing evaluation of these individuals. This involves examining evidence of qualifications, relevant experience, linguistic and subject-matter competence, and adherence to ethical standards. When auditing the TSP’s process for selecting translators, the lead auditor should look for documented procedures that outline how potential translators are vetted against these criteria. This includes reviewing portfolios, conducting language proficiency tests, assessing subject-matter expertise through sample translations, and verifying references. Furthermore, the auditor must confirm that the TSP has a system for monitoring translator performance and providing feedback, which is crucial for continuous improvement and maintaining service quality. The absence of a documented, systematic approach to translator qualification and ongoing assessment would represent a significant nonconformity against the requirements of ISO 17100:2015, as it directly impacts the ability to deliver competent translation services. Therefore, the most critical aspect for a lead auditor to verify in this context is the existence and application of a robust, documented process for selecting and evaluating translators based on defined competence criteria.

The core of ISO 17100:2015 is ensuring the quality and competence of translation services. A key aspect of this is the qualification and ongoing assessment of human resources involved in the translation process. Clause 7.1.2, “Competence of personnel,” mandates that all individuals performing core translation process activities (translators, revisers, proofreaders, project managers) must possess specific qualifications. For translators, this includes a recognized tertiary qualification in translation or a related field, or an equivalent level of documented experience and professional development. Revisers and proofreaders must also demonstrate equivalent competence. A lead auditor’s role is to verify that the translation service provider (TSP) has established and maintains processes to ensure these competence requirements are met and documented for all personnel involved in the translation workflow. This includes checking records of qualifications, professional development, and any assessments conducted by the TSP to confirm ongoing competence. The absence of documented evidence for the competence of a reviser, particularly when their role is critical to the quality assurance of a translation, would represent a nonconformity against the requirements of ISO 17100:2015, specifically Clause 7.1.2. Therefore, the auditor must identify and report this gap.

The core of this question lies in understanding the auditor’s role in verifying the effectiveness of a translation service provider’s (TSP) quality management system (QMS) as defined by ISO 17100:2015. Specifically, it probes the auditor’s responsibility in assessing how the TSP manages and mitigates risks associated with the translation process, particularly concerning the competence of human resources involved. ISO 17100:2015 Clause 7.1.2 outlines the requirements for translator competence, emphasizing qualifications, professional experience, and subject-matter expertise. An auditor’s objective is to confirm that the TSP has robust processes in place to ensure these requirements are met for every project. This involves not just checking documented procedures but also verifying their practical application. The auditor would look for evidence that the TSP actively assesses potential translators, maintains up-to-date competency records, and assigns translators to projects based on demonstrated suitability for the specific subject matter and linguistic requirements. The absence of a systematic approach to verifying translator competence, or reliance on outdated or incomplete records, would represent a significant nonconformity. Therefore, the most critical finding for an auditor would be the lack of a documented and consistently applied process for verifying and maintaining translator competence, as this directly impacts the quality and accuracy of the translation output, a fundamental tenet of ISO 17100. This finding would indicate a systemic weakness in the TSP’s ability to deliver services that meet client specifications and regulatory requirements.

The core of a translation service provider’s (TSP) responsibility under ISO 17100:2015, particularly concerning the management of linguistic resources, lies in ensuring the competence and ongoing development of its translators and reviewers. Clause 6.2.1 specifies that TSPs shall ensure that all personnel involved in the translation process possess the necessary qualifications and competencies. This includes, but is not limited to, demonstrable linguistic and translation competence in the source and target languages, as well as subject-matter expertise in the relevant domain. Furthermore, Clause 6.2.2 mandates that TSPs shall maintain records of the qualifications and performance of their linguistic resources. When a TSP engages a new freelance translator for a specialized technical document, the lead auditor’s focus should be on verifying that the TSP has a robust process for assessing and documenting the translator’s suitability for that specific task. This involves reviewing evidence of the translator’s academic qualifications, professional experience in the relevant technical field, and potentially a sample translation or a competency-based interview. The auditor would also check if the TSP has a system for providing feedback and supporting the translator’s professional development, aligning with the standard’s emphasis on continuous improvement. The absence of a documented assessment of the translator’s subject-matter expertise for the specific technical domain would represent a non-conformity, as it directly impacts the quality and accuracy of the translation output, a fundamental requirement of the standard.

The core of ISO 17100:2015’s requirement for ensuring translation quality lies in the competence of personnel. Specifically, Clause 5.2.1 outlines the necessary qualifications for translators, reviewers, and other personnel involved in the translation process. A lead auditor must verify that the translation service provider (TSP) has established and implemented processes to confirm that individuals possess the requisite linguistic and translation competence, as well as subject-matter expertise relevant to the translation’s content. This includes examining evidence of formal education, professional experience, and ongoing professional development. Furthermore, the standard emphasizes the importance of a TSP’s ability to assess and manage the competence of its human resources throughout the service provision lifecycle, from selection to ongoing performance monitoring. This ensures that the translation output consistently meets the specified quality criteria and client requirements, thereby fulfilling the overarching goal of the management system. The auditor’s role is to confirm that these mechanisms are in place and effectively utilized to maintain the integrity and quality of the translation services offered, aligning with the principles of a robust quality management system.

The core of ISO 17100:2015 is the establishment and maintenance of a robust quality management system for translation services. A critical aspect of this is ensuring that the competence of personnel involved in the translation process, particularly translators and reviewers, is adequately defined, assessed, and maintained. Clause 6.2.1 of the standard specifically addresses the competence of personnel. It mandates that an organization shall define the necessary competences for all personnel whose work affects translation service quality, including those involved in pre-production, production, and post-production activities. This definition should encompass linguistic and subject-matter expertise, creativity, and the ability to use relevant technology. Furthermore, the standard requires that the organization shall ensure that these competences are met through appropriate education, training, skills, and experience. For a lead auditor, verifying the effectiveness of these processes is paramount. This involves examining how the organization identifies required competences, how it assesses individuals against these requirements, and how it provides opportunities for development and maintenance of these skills. The auditor must look for evidence of documented competence requirements, records of assessments, training plans, and performance reviews that demonstrate a systematic approach to ensuring that personnel possess the necessary skills to deliver compliant translation services. The question probes the auditor’s understanding of how to verify the *implementation* of these requirements, not just their existence on paper. The correct approach focuses on the practical application and ongoing management of personnel competence as stipulated by the standard.

The core of auditing ISO 17100:2015 lies in verifying the effective implementation and maintenance of the translation services management system (TSMS). A key aspect of this standard is ensuring that the organization has robust processes for managing linguistic resources, including the selection, evaluation, and monitoring of translators and reviewers. When a lead auditor encounters a situation where a critical translation project experienced significant post-delivery revisions due to linguistic inaccuracies, the auditor’s focus must be on identifying the root cause within the TSMS. This scenario points towards a potential breakdown in the competence verification or ongoing performance monitoring of the linguistic resources involved.

The auditor must investigate whether the initial selection process for the translators and reviewers met the requirements of ISO 17100:2015, specifically Clause 5.2.1 (Competence of personnel). This clause mandates that all personnel involved in the translation process, including translators, reviewers, and project managers, must possess the necessary competence. For translators and reviewers, this typically means appropriate education, qualification in translation or a related field, demonstrated linguistic and cultural competence in the source and target languages, and subject-matter expertise. Furthermore, the auditor needs to examine the organization’s processes for evaluating and maintaining the competence of these resources, as outlined in Clause 5.2.2 (Evaluation of linguistic resources). This includes how the organization assesses their performance, handles feedback, and takes corrective actions when performance issues arise.

In this specific case, the repeated revisions suggest that either the initial selection was inadequate, or the ongoing monitoring failed to identify and address competence gaps before they impacted project quality. Therefore, the most appropriate audit finding would relate to the non-conformity in the management of linguistic resources, specifically concerning the verification and maintenance of their competence as per the standard’s requirements. This would involve examining records of translator qualifications, performance reviews, and any corrective actions taken. The auditor’s objective is to determine if the organization’s system for ensuring qualified and competent linguistic resources is effective in preventing such quality failures.

The core of ISO 17100:2015 is ensuring the quality and competence of translation services. Clause 5.1.1, “Competence of personnel,” mandates that all personnel involved in the translation process, including translators, reviewers, and project managers, must possess the necessary qualifications and skills. For translators, this typically means a degree in translation or a related field, or equivalent experience, along with proven language proficiency and subject matter expertise. Reviewers must have similar linguistic and subject matter competence, with an additional focus on the target language and the specific translation task. Project managers need to demonstrate competence in managing translation projects, understanding client requirements, and ensuring adherence to the quality management system. The standard emphasizes that competence is not static and requires ongoing professional development. Therefore, an auditor assessing compliance with this clause would look for evidence of documented qualifications, experience records, language proficiency assessments, and records of continuous professional development for all relevant personnel. The scenario presented requires the auditor to identify the primary focus of the competence requirement within the standard. The most encompassing and fundamental aspect of personnel competence, as defined by ISO 17100:2015, is the possession of appropriate qualifications, skills, and experience relevant to their roles in the translation workflow. This directly addresses the requirement for translators, reviewers, and project managers to be demonstrably capable of performing their tasks effectively.

The core of ISO 17100:2015 is the establishment and maintenance of a robust translation services management system (TSMS). A key aspect of this is ensuring the competence of personnel involved in the translation process, particularly translators and reviewers. Clause 6.2.2 of the standard specifically addresses the qualifications and competencies required for these roles. For translators, it mandates appropriate linguistic and translation competence, subject-matter expertise, and creative and technical competence. For reviewers, it requires similar linguistic and subject-matter expertise, along with the ability to assess translation quality. The standard emphasizes that the TSMS must include processes for selecting, evaluating, and monitoring the competence of all personnel who can impact translation service quality. Therefore, when auditing a translation service provider against ISO 17100:2015, a lead auditor must verify that the organization has documented procedures and evidence demonstrating that translators and reviewers possess the necessary qualifications and skills as outlined in the standard. This includes checking for academic degrees, professional certifications, relevant work experience, and ongoing professional development. The auditor’s focus is on the *systematic* approach to ensuring competence, not just on individual instances of good work. The objective is to confirm that the TSMS is designed to consistently deliver quality translations by leveraging competent human resources.

The core of ISO 17100:2015 is ensuring the quality and competence of translation services. Clause 5.2.1, “Translation service competence,” mandates that the core translation process must be performed by a qualified translator. Qualification is defined in the standard, and a key aspect is the possession of a degree in translation or a related linguistic field, or a minimum of two years of full-time documented experience in translation in a relevant field. Clause 5.2.2, “Translation process competence,” further specifies that revision and review must also be performed by individuals with appropriate qualifications. When auditing a translation service provider against these requirements, a lead auditor must verify that the provider has established and maintains documented procedures for assessing and verifying the qualifications of all personnel involved in the translation process, including translators, revisers, and reviewers. This verification should be based on objective evidence, such as academic certificates, professional body memberships, or detailed work portfolios demonstrating relevant experience. The auditor’s role is to confirm that the provider’s internal processes align with the standard’s requirements for ensuring that individuals performing core translation activities possess the necessary linguistic and translation competence. This involves examining records of translator qualifications, client feedback related to translator performance, and the provider’s own quality control mechanisms for ensuring adherence to these qualification standards. The focus is on the *system* for managing competence, not just individual instances of good or bad performance, although performance can inform the audit findings regarding the effectiveness of the system.

The core of this question lies in understanding the auditor’s role in verifying the effectiveness of a translation service provider’s (TSP) process for managing linguistic quality. ISO 17100:2015, specifically clause 5.3.2 (Competence of personnel), mandates that TSPs ensure their translators possess the necessary linguistic and translation competence. Clause 6.4.2 (Translation process) requires the establishment and maintenance of processes to ensure translation quality. An auditor’s primary concern is not just the existence of a process but its demonstrable application and effectiveness. When reviewing a TSP’s quality management system, an auditor would look for evidence that the TSP actively assesses and maintains the linguistic competence of its translators throughout their engagement, not just at the initial onboarding. This involves verifying that the TSP has mechanisms to monitor ongoing performance, address any identified deficiencies, and ensure that translators remain current with evolving language usage and subject matter. Therefore, the most appropriate audit finding would focus on the TSP’s proactive and continuous approach to ensuring and verifying the linguistic competence of its translators, which directly impacts the quality of the final translation output. This goes beyond simply having a policy or initial qualification; it requires ongoing assurance.

The core of this question lies in understanding the auditor’s role in verifying the effectiveness of a translation service provider’s (TSP) process for managing linguistic quality assurance (LQA) and ensuring it aligns with the client’s specific requirements, as mandated by ISO 17100:2015. Specifically, Clause 7.4.3 (Translation process) and Clause 7.5 (Linguistic quality assurance) are critical. An auditor must assess whether the TSP has a defined process for LQA that includes verification steps and corrective actions for non-conformities. The scenario describes a situation where a client has raised a concern about the accuracy of a translated document, which is a direct trigger for the TSP’s corrective action process. The auditor’s responsibility is to determine if the TSP’s internal procedures for handling such client feedback, including root cause analysis and implementation of preventive measures, are robust and effectively implemented. This involves examining records of client complaints, the TSP’s investigation into the complaint, the corrective actions taken, and the verification of the effectiveness of those actions. The auditor is not there to re-translate or judge the linguistic accuracy themselves, but to audit the *process* by which the TSP manages and resolves such issues. Therefore, the most appropriate audit activity is to review the documentation and evidence related to the client’s feedback and the TSP’s subsequent corrective actions, ensuring that the process aligns with the standard’s requirements for continuous improvement and client satisfaction. This includes verifying that the root cause of the perceived inaccuracy was identified and addressed, and that measures are in place to prevent recurrence.

The core of this question lies in understanding the auditor’s role in verifying the competence of human resources involved in the translation process, as stipulated by ISO 17100:2015. Specifically, Clause 7.1.2, “Competence of personnel,” mandates that translation service providers (TSPs) must ensure that all personnel involved in the core translation process possess the necessary qualifications and skills. This includes translators, reviewers, and proofreaders. An auditor’s responsibility is to confirm that the TSP has established and implemented procedures to assess and maintain this competence. This involves examining evidence of qualifications (degrees, certifications), language proficiency, subject-matter expertise, and translation skills. Furthermore, the auditor must verify that the TSP has a system for ongoing professional development and that individual competence is documented and retained. The question probes the auditor’s focus on the *process* of ensuring competence, not just the existence of competent individuals. Therefore, the most accurate focus for an auditor is to evaluate the TSP’s established procedures for verifying and maintaining the competence of all personnel engaged in the translation workflow, ensuring these procedures align with the standard’s requirements.

The core of ISO 17100:2015 is the establishment and maintenance of a robust translation process that ensures quality and client satisfaction. A key element in achieving this is the effective management of the human resources involved in translation. Clause 6.2.1 of the standard specifically addresses the competence of personnel. It mandates that a translation service provider (TSP) shall ensure that all personnel involved in the translation process, including project managers, translators, reviewers, and proofreaders, possess the necessary qualifications, skills, and experience. This includes linguistic and translation competence, subject-matter expertise relevant to the translation content, and technological proficiency. For a lead auditor, verifying compliance with this clause involves examining the TSP’s documented procedures for selecting, qualifying, and managing these individuals. This includes reviewing recruitment policies, competency assessment methods (e.g., testing, portfolio review), ongoing professional development records, and performance evaluations. The auditor must ascertain that the TSP has a systematic approach to ensuring that individuals assigned to specific translation projects are demonstrably capable of meeting the project’s requirements, which often involves a combination of linguistic proficiency in the source and target languages, specialized knowledge of the subject matter (e.g., legal, medical, technical), and familiarity with translation tools and technologies. The absence of a documented process for verifying translator competence or evidence that such verification is not consistently applied would constitute a nonconformity. Therefore, the most critical aspect for a lead auditor to verify regarding personnel competence under ISO 17100:2015 is the existence and effective implementation of a system for assessing and ensuring the requisite qualifications and skills of all individuals engaged in the translation workflow.

The core of ISO 17100:2015 is the establishment and maintenance of a robust quality management system for translation services. Clause 5.1.1, “Competence,” is foundational, requiring that all personnel involved in the translation process, including project managers, translators, reviewers, and proofreaders, possess the necessary qualifications and skills. This extends to understanding the specific subject matter, linguistic proficiency in the source and target languages, and familiarity with relevant technologies. Furthermore, Clause 5.1.2, “Translation Service Competence,” mandates that the translation service provider (TSP) shall ensure that all personnel involved in the translation process have the necessary competence, which includes linguistic and translation competence, subject-matter expertise, and technical competence. A lead auditor’s role is to verify that the TSP has implemented effective processes to identify, assess, and maintain this competence. This involves examining records of qualifications, continuous professional development, performance evaluations, and adherence to ethical standards. The question probes the auditor’s understanding of how to verify the TSP’s commitment to competence, which is a critical element of conformity with the standard. The correct approach focuses on the systematic evaluation of the TSP’s processes for ensuring and demonstrating the competence of its personnel across all stages of the translation workflow.

The core of auditing ISO 17100:2015 lies in verifying the effective implementation and maintenance of the translation services management system (TSMS). Clause 5.1.1 of the standard mandates that the organization shall establish, implement, maintain and continually improve a TSMS. This includes defining the processes necessary for the TSMS and their application throughout the organization. When auditing a translation service provider’s (TSP) adherence to this clause, a lead auditor must assess how the TSP has identified, documented, and integrated all processes critical to delivering compliant translations. This encompasses not only the core translation workflow (pre-production, production, post-production) but also supporting processes like resource management, quality assurance, client communication, and continuous improvement. The auditor’s objective is to confirm that these processes are not merely listed but are actively functioning, controlled, and contribute to achieving the TSP’s quality objectives and client requirements. Therefore, the most comprehensive approach to auditing this clause involves examining the documented TSMS, observing the practical application of its processes, and verifying that the system is designed to achieve consistent translation quality and client satisfaction, aligning with the overarching intent of ISO 17100:2015.

The core of auditing against ISO 17100:2015, particularly for a lead auditor, involves verifying the effective implementation and maintenance of the translation services management system (TSMS). Clause 5.1.2, “Competence,” is crucial as it mandates that all personnel involved in the core translation process (translators, reviewers, transcreators, terminologists, project managers, etc.) must possess the necessary qualifications and demonstrated abilities. For a lead auditor, this means going beyond simply checking for documented qualifications. It requires assessing the *process* by which the translation service provider (TSP) ensures and maintains this competence. This includes evaluating how the TSP identifies competence requirements, assesses potential and existing personnel against these requirements, provides development opportunities, and retains evidence of competence. The auditor must confirm that the TSP’s system actively manages and verifies that individuals assigned to specific tasks have the appropriate linguistic and subject-matter expertise, as well as the required skills for the translation process itself. This verification is not a one-time event but an ongoing activity. Therefore, the most effective approach for a lead auditor to confirm adherence to this clause is to examine the TSP’s established procedures for assessing and verifying the competence of all personnel involved in the translation process, ensuring these procedures are consistently applied and documented. This encompasses reviewing recruitment and selection criteria, ongoing performance evaluations, and any professional development initiatives that contribute to maintaining and enhancing competence.

The core of ISO 17100:2015 revolves around ensuring the quality and competence of translation services. Clause 5.2.1, “Competence of personnel,” mandates that all individuals involved in the translation process, including translators, reviewers, and project managers, must possess the necessary qualifications and skills. This includes linguistic and cultural competence in the source and target languages, as well as subject-matter expertise relevant to the translation’s domain. Furthermore, Clause 5.2.2, “Translator competence,” specifies that translators should have a degree in translation or a related field, or equivalent experience, and demonstrate proficiency in translation and revision. The standard also emphasizes the importance of ongoing professional development to maintain and enhance these competencies. Therefore, when auditing a translation service provider against ISO 17100:2015, a lead auditor must verify that the organization has established and implemented processes to ensure that all personnel involved in the translation workflow, from initial client contact to final delivery, meet the defined competence requirements. This includes examining recruitment and selection procedures, training records, performance evaluations, and evidence of continuous professional development. The focus is on the systematic assurance of competence across all roles critical to delivering a high-quality translation service, aligning with the standard’s overarching goal of establishing a robust quality management system for translation services.

The core of ISO 17100:2015 is ensuring the quality and competence of translation services. Clause 5.3.2, “Translation process competence,” specifically mandates that the translation process itself must be handled by qualified individuals. This includes the translator, reviewer, and reviser (if applicable). The standard requires that these individuals possess the necessary linguistic and translation competence, as well as subject-matter expertise relevant to the content being translated. A lead auditor’s role is to verify that the translation service provider has established and maintains processes to ensure these competencies are met and documented for all translation projects. Therefore, when auditing the translation process, the auditor must verify that the provider has a system in place to confirm the qualifications of the individuals assigned to each stage of the translation workflow, aligning with the specific requirements of the source text and target audience. This verification is not about the final output alone but the underlying capability of the human resources involved in producing that output.