Audits and Inspections

An audit and inspection process can be:

• a systematic review and testing of the application of management policies, procedures and practices to the required task
• identification of compliance / noncompliance to stated regulatory or policy matters
• identifying, analysing, evaluating and monitoring performance
• initiating corrective actions where noncompliance has been identified
• seeking improvement opportunities

Key success factors

When creating or undertaking audits or inspections remember the following:

• Auditor or Inspector needs to have the required knowledge of the audit process and technical competencies in relation to the processes being audited / inspected in order to undertake the audit / inspection effectively
• Audit processes need to meet the requirements of the relevant ISO/AS standards for audit and inspection if the process is to be part of compliance to a Standard such as ISO 9001, AS 4801, ISO 14001 etc.
• Audits and inspections should be scheduled – additional audits and inspections may be adhoc or unplanned according to risk needs
• Audit and inspection reports need to provide traceability of audit activity and outcome
• Records of audits and inspections should be kept
• Outcomes of audits and inspections should be communicated to the stakeholders of the process – employee and management
• Actions arising from audits need to be communicated to those responsible for their actioning
• Follow up and monitoring of actions arising from audits/inspections needs to be designated and actioned