Last Updated on December 23, 2025 by Melissa Lazaro

What ISO/IEC 17043 Transition Projects Really Teach You

Every ISO/IEC 17043 transition project starts with confidence.
Most end with a few surprises.

After supporting multiple PT providers through transition—from early planning to post-assessment follow-ups—I’ve noticed a pattern. The challenges aren’t usually where teams expect them to be.

People worry about rewriting procedures. Auditors worry about how you think, decide, and justify what you do.

This article pulls together the most consistent lessons learned from real ISO/IEC 17043 transition projects. Not the textbook ones. The ones that actually show up in audits—and determine whether a transition feels controlled or chaotic.

Lesson 1 – ISO/IEC 17043 Transition Is More About Thinking Than Documentation

Let’s start with the biggest misconception.

Most transition issues don’t come from missing documents. They come from unchallenged assumptions that were never questioned under ISO/IEC 17043:2010.

I’ve worked with PT providers who had every procedure updated to 2023 wording and still struggled in audits. Why? Because when assessors asked why certain decisions were made, the answers weren’t clear.

ISO/IEC 17043:2023 rewards justification. It expects you to explain:

• why a scheme is designed the way it is,
• why a statistical method is appropriate,
• and why controls are sufficient.

What works:
Pausing early in the transition and asking, “Would we still defend this approach today?”
That single question uncovers more gaps than any checklist.

Lesson 2 – PT Scheme Design Becomes the Center of Attention During Transition

If there’s one thing transition projects make clear, it’s this: PT schemes are no longer background material.

Accreditation bodies sample schemes aggressively during transition. And they don’t just check if schemes exist—they examine how well the design logic holds together.

Common scheme-level issues I’ve seen:

• objectives that are too broad,
• statistical methods used out of habit rather than suitability,
• reports that present results without explaining performance meaning.

In one project, a single poorly justified scheme triggered deeper system-level questioning. Not because it was wrong, but because it wasn’t defensible.

Lesson learned:
If a scheme can’t explain itself clearly, the whole system starts to look weak.

Lesson 3 – Risk & Impartiality Are Underestimated Until the Audit

Almost every PT provider has a risk register. Far fewer have one that truly reflects scheme-level reality.

During transition audits, assessors dig into questions like:

• Who really influences scheme decisions?
• Where could impartiality be questioned?
• What happens if key people are unavailable?

I’ve seen providers caught off-guard when assessors challenged risks linked to subcontracted testing or single-person statistical decisions.

What assessors want isn’t complexity.
They want to see that you’ve thought about realistic risks and put sensible controls in place.

Lesson learned:
If a risk feels awkward to write down, it’s probably the one an assessor will ask about.

Lesson 4 – Internal Audits Make or Break Transition Confidence

Internal audits quietly shape how confident assessors feel about your transition.

I’ve seen two very different outcomes:

• Providers whose internal audits still checked only 2010-style compliance
• Providers whose audits actively tested 2023 expectations, even before full transition

The second group consistently had smoother assessments.

Why? Because internal audit records showed learning, adaptation, and control—not perfection.

Real-world insight:
Assessors don’t expect everything to be finished. They expect internal audits to show you’re aware of what’s changing and testing it deliberately.

Lesson 5 – Competence Evidence Matters More Than Job Titles

Transition projects expose how thin competence evidence often is.

Job titles, CVs, and qualifications don’t answer the questions assessors now ask:

• How do you know this person remains competent?
• Who reviews their technical decisions?
• What happens when roles overlap?

I’ve seen competent teams struggle simply because competence wasn’t clearly demonstrated.

What works well:
Simple role descriptions, clear competence criteria, and periodic review evidence.

Lesson learned:
Competence doesn’t need to be impressive. It needs to be visible.

Lesson 6 – Over-Engineering the Transition Creates More Risk, Not Less

Some PT providers respond to transition by rewriting everything.

New manuals. New procedures. New forms. All launched at once.

That approach usually backfires.

I’ve seen beautifully written systems fail audits because staff weren’t comfortable using them yet. Implementation lag creates real risk.

Lean transitions consistently perform better.

They focus on:

• high-risk gaps,
• scheme justification,
• and auditor-relevant evidence.

Lesson learned:
A system that’s 80% complete and well understood beats a “perfect” system nobody owns.

Lesson 7 – Communication with Accreditation Bodies Shapes Transition Outcomes

One of the most underrated lessons is how much communication affects transition success.

PT providers who:

• explain their transition approach early,
• acknowledge incomplete areas honestly,
• and show structured planning

tend to receive more constructive assessments.

Those who stay silent and hope everything passes often face tougher questioning.

Practical insight:
Assessors respond well to transparency. They’re far less forgiving of surprises.

FAQs – Lessons Learned from ISO/IEC 17043 Transition Projects

What’s the most common mistake PT providers make during transition?
Assuming document updates equal compliance. They don’t.

Can small PT providers manage transition without external support?
Yes—if they stay focused, prioritize risks, and avoid over-engineering.

How long does a realistic ISO/IEC 17043 transition project take?
Typically several months. Rushed transitions almost always create findings.

Conclusion – Applying ISO/IEC 17043 Transition Lessons the Smart Way

ISO/IEC 17043 transition projects consistently teach the same lesson:
clarity beats complexity.

PT providers who succeed don’t chase perfection. They focus on understanding their schemes, managing risk realistically, and demonstrating control.

From what I’ve seen across real projects, applying these lessons early turns transition from a stressful obligation into a structured improvement process.

And that’s exactly what assessors want to see.