What tools can you use to conduct a quality audit?

1 Audit Checklist

An audit checklist is a tool that lists the criteria, questions, and evidence that you need to review during the audit. An audit checklist can help you ensure that you cover all the relevant aspects of the audit scope, as well as document your observations and findings. You can create an audit checklist based on the quality standards and requirements that apply to your project, process, or product, such as ISO, CMMI, or Agile. You can also use templates or examples of audit checklists that are available online or from your organization.

2 Audit Interview

An audit interview is a tool that allows you to gather information and insights from the auditees, who are the people involved in the project, process, or product that you are auditing. An audit interview can help you understand the context, challenges, and best practices of the auditees, as well as verify the evidence and data that you have collected. You can prepare an audit interview by defining the objectives, questions, and format of the interview, as well as selecting the appropriate auditees and scheduling the interview. You can also use techniques such as open-ended questions, active listening, and probing to conduct an effective audit interview.

3 Audit Observation

An audit observation is a tool that enables you to witness and evaluate the actual performance and behavior of the auditees, as well as the conditions and environment of the project, process, or product that you are auditing. An audit observation can help you validate the information and evidence that you have obtained from other sources, as well as identify any discrepancies or nonconformities. You can conduct an audit observation by following the audit checklist, recording your observations and findings, and providing feedback to the auditees.

4 Audit Report

An audit report is a tool that summarizes and communicates the results and recommendations of the audit to the relevant stakeholders, such as the auditors, the auditees, the management, and the customers. An audit report can help you document the audit scope, objectives, methodology, findings, conclusions, and actions. You can write an audit report by following the audit standards and guidelines that apply to your project, process, or product, as well as using clear, concise, and objective language. You can also use charts, graphs, tables, and images to illustrate your audit report.

5 Audit Follow-Up

An audit follow-up is a tool that monitors and verifies the implementation and effectiveness of the corrective and preventive actions that have been agreed upon by the auditors and the auditees. An audit follow-up can help you ensure that the audit results and recommendations are addressed and resolved, as well as evaluate the impact and benefits of the audit. You can perform an audit follow-up by setting the criteria, frequency, and method of the follow-up, as well as tracking the progress and status of the actions. You can also use tools such as surveys, feedback forms, or interviews to measure the satisfaction and feedback of the auditees and the stakeholders.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?