A guide is appointed by the auditee to facilitate the audit process. Their role is logistical and observational. Responsibilities include establishing contacts, scheduling interviews, arranging access to sites, and ensuring safety protocols are followed by the audit team. They witness the audit on behalf of the client but are not members of the audit team. Drafting and communicating audit conclusions are fundamental responsibilities of the audit team leader, as this requires independent analysis of evidence and professional judgment, which falls outside the guide's impartial, facilitative role.

A: Assisting with logistics like establishing contacts and timing for interviews is a primary responsibility of a guide.

B: A key function of the guide is to act as an observer or witness to the audit activities on behalf of the auditee.

1. ISO 19011:2018, Guidelines for auditing management systems, Clause 6.2.4 "Responsibilities of guides and observers". This section outlines the guide's role, which includes assisting the audit team and witnessing the audit. It explicitly excludes interfering with the audit, which would include participating in the formulation of conclusions.

2. ISO/IEC 17021-1:2015, Conformity assessment — Requirements for bodies providing audit and certification of management systems — Part 1: Requirements, Clause 9.2.2.2. This clause notes that guides are not auditors and should not influence or interfere with the conduct of the audit. Drafting conclusions would be a direct interference.