Internal Audit Checklist – The Process Evaluation and Corrective Action Sections

Internal audits can reveal many minor issues with potential major ramifications. Many times these are caused by outdated documents or simply misspelled words.

An internal audit checklist ISO 9001 can help you avoid these pitfalls and ensure your ISO 9001 audits are effective. Here is an example checklist which covers these topics:

Documentation Review
Internal audits begin by reviewing documentation. This step includes reviewing whether processes reflect actual business practices and meet ISO 9001 standards; also it gives an opportunity to detect any non-conformities and record them appropriately.

The next step in quality management system evaluation is analyzing its actual process. This involves looking at its definition, inputs, outputs and resources – providing an opportunity to identify areas for improvement within your quality management system.

At this stage, it’s essential to keep in mind that an internal audit shouldn’t be treated as something punitive – rather, it should be seen as an opportunity for all involved parties. So focus on areas that excelled during the audit and recognize departments for their hard work.

Process Evaluation
Process Evaluation section of an internal audit checklist covers questions concerning an organisation’s context, leadership, activities planning activities and quality management systems as well as inspecting documentation management systems and support structures.

This part of the audit also involves an assessment of the PDCA cycle, with questions aimed at verifying that processes are operating effectively and meeting their stated goals. Furthermore, test reports or data pertaining to product reliability will also be collected for inspection as part of this part of process evaluation. PPAP forms will also be scrutinized.

Audits play an essential part of running any successful business, providing an accurate picture of which areas need improvement while not demoralising staff. Therefore, positive feedback regarding departments that perform well is vital to maintaining employee morale while noting any areas which do not meet expectations can serve as a catalyst for change.

Non-Conformity Identification
Internal auditors use an internal audit checklist to perform this phase, during which they review company documents such as quality manuals, procedures, work instructions and records to ascertain whether these adhere to ISO 9001 requirements and support an organization’s quality management system.

Any nonconformities identified during this phase must be documented and resolved. Their source must be identified, along with an action plan designed to avoid further incidents; all appropriate corrective actions must be documented, tracked, and monitored accordingly.

Internal audit checklists offer a final step for evaluating the effectiveness of your organization’s processes by comparing actual results against target objectives, then using data to identify areas for improvement. Implementing changes that address deficiencies will result in enhanced quality, productivity and customer satisfaction while helping achieve financial goals more quickly while building customer trust in your brand.

Corrective Actions
Under an internal audit checklist’s corrective actions section, companies will analyze various aspects related to health and safety. This may involve reviewing management system documents as well as procedures related to training, communication and participation.

At this phase of an audit, other areas will be examined, including whether nonconformities have been documented and corrected, their effectiveness, timeliness and timeliness of any corrections implemented and any strategic objectives, plans of action and other quality management system requirements that have been fulfilled.

Once an audit has been completed, the company should hold a meeting to review the findings and discuss any improvements that resulted from it. Ideally this should include top management as well as managers from each department audited; this ensures that audit findings can be effectively communicated to employees. Additionally, discussion about any innovations developed should take place as a result of this exercise.