If one of the people being inspected tries to turn the situation into a trial of strength, don’t be pulled into the game. Ensure that you have your facts straight and remain calm.

If the response you are getting from the person being interviewed is obviously insincere - ignore it; it won’t affect how you carry out the inspection or the observations you make.

If someone tries to make you pity him or her, by telling you how hard done by he/she is or how difficult the job is - sympathize and then move on. Do not let it affect your objective judgement of how that person operates within the company.

If the person you need to see is unobtainable for some reason - don’t let it upset your schedule. Call for his/her deputy and keep insisting until someone is found who can answer your questions.

Finally, be prepared for sudden outbreaks of amnesia - it is amazing how many times people promise to provide something and then forget. If that happens, go back to the department in question and ask for the item yourself.