Tool-Supported Audit Process

From audit program planning to corrective action closure and automated reporting

Audit process

Auditor

Plans, conducts, documents, evaluates and approves audit actions.

Audited Departments

Prepare evidence, participate in audits and implement corrective actions.

Management

Supports execution and ensures action follow-up.

Audit Tool

Supports planning, communication, documentation and reporting.

Planning & Preparation

1

Audit Program Planning

Define audit areas, timing, priorities and scope

2

Define Scope & Criteria

Establish audit scope, processes and standards

3

Audit Planning in Tool

Create audit, sessions and responsibilities

4

Communication

Send plans, invitations and questionnaires

5

Audit Week Scheduling

Schedule sessions and time slots

Execution & Reporting

6

Opening Meeting

Introduce scope, criteria and agenda

7

Audit Sessions

Interviews, document review and compliance check

8

Documentation & Evaluation

Record and evaluate evidence

9

Closing Meeting

Present findings, risks and OFIs

10

Initial Audit Report

Generate and distribute audit report

Follow-up & Monitoring

11

Corrective Actions

Root cause analysis and implementation

12

Review & Approval

Verify effectiveness and close actions

13

Monitoring & Reporting

Track status, deadlines and escalations

Industry Example

A

Automotive Manufacturing Audit Example

Brake assembly line audit with scope, questions, findings, CAPA and KPI dashboard.

Objective

Ensure a structured, transparent and effective audit process supported by a digital tool.

Audit Program PlanningStep 1

Audit Program Planning

Define audit areas, timing, priorities and scope

Purpose

To support a structured, transparent and effective audit workflow for this process step.

Activities

  • Prepare required information
  • Perform the defined audit activity
  • Document results in the audit tool
  • Coordinate with relevant stakeholders

Output

Documented result for step 1: Audit Program Planning.

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Define Scope & CriteriaStep 2

Define Scope & Criteria

Establish audit scope, processes and standards

Purpose

To support a structured, transparent and effective audit workflow for this process step.

Activities

  • Prepare required information
  • Perform the defined audit activity
  • Document results in the audit tool
  • Coordinate with relevant stakeholders

Output

Documented result for step 2: Define Scope & Criteria.

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Audit Planning in ToolStep 3

Audit Planning in Tool

Create audit, sessions and responsibilities

Purpose

To support a structured, transparent and effective audit workflow for this process step.

Activities

  • Prepare required information
  • Perform the defined audit activity
  • Document results in the audit tool
  • Coordinate with relevant stakeholders

Output

Documented result for step 3: Audit Planning in Tool.

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CommunicationStep 4

Communication

Send plans, invitations and questionnaires

Purpose

To support a structured, transparent and effective audit workflow for this process step.

Activities

  • Prepare required information
  • Perform the defined audit activity
  • Document results in the audit tool
  • Coordinate with relevant stakeholders

Output

Documented result for step 4: Communication.

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Audit Week SchedulingStep 5

Audit Week Scheduling

Schedule sessions and time slots

Purpose

To support a structured, transparent and effective audit workflow for this process step.

Activities

  • Prepare required information
  • Perform the defined audit activity
  • Document results in the audit tool
  • Coordinate with relevant stakeholders

Output

Documented result for step 5: Audit Week Scheduling.

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Opening MeetingStep 6

Opening Meeting

Introduce scope, criteria and agenda

Purpose

To support a structured, transparent and effective audit workflow for this process step.

Activities

  • Prepare required information
  • Perform the defined audit activity
  • Document results in the audit tool
  • Coordinate with relevant stakeholders

Output

Documented result for step 6: Opening Meeting.

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Audit SessionsStep 7

Audit Sessions

Interviews, document review and compliance check

Purpose

To support a structured, transparent and effective audit workflow for this process step.

Activities

  • Prepare required information
  • Perform the defined audit activity
  • Document results in the audit tool
  • Coordinate with relevant stakeholders

Output

Documented result for step 7: Audit Sessions.

← Back to overview
Documentation & EvaluationStep 8

Documentation & Evaluation

Record and evaluate evidence

Purpose

To support a structured, transparent and effective audit workflow for this process step.

Activities

  • Prepare required information
  • Perform the defined audit activity
  • Document results in the audit tool
  • Coordinate with relevant stakeholders

Output

Documented result for step 8: Documentation & Evaluation.

← Back to overview
Closing MeetingStep 9

Closing Meeting

Present findings, risks and OFIs

Purpose

To support a structured, transparent and effective audit workflow for this process step.

Activities

  • Prepare required information
  • Perform the defined audit activity
  • Document results in the audit tool
  • Coordinate with relevant stakeholders

Output

Documented result for step 9: Closing Meeting.

← Back to overview
Initial Audit ReportStep 10

Initial Audit Report

Generate and distribute audit report

Purpose

To support a structured, transparent and effective audit workflow for this process step.

Activities

  • Prepare required information
  • Perform the defined audit activity
  • Document results in the audit tool
  • Coordinate with relevant stakeholders

Output

Documented result for step 10: Initial Audit Report.

← Back to overview
Corrective ActionsStep 11

Corrective Actions

Root cause analysis and implementation

Purpose

To support a structured, transparent and effective audit workflow for this process step.

Activities

  • Prepare required information
  • Perform the defined audit activity
  • Document results in the audit tool
  • Coordinate with relevant stakeholders

Output

Documented result for step 11: Corrective Actions.

← Back to overview
Review & ApprovalStep 12

Review & Approval

Verify effectiveness and close actions

Purpose

To support a structured, transparent and effective audit workflow for this process step.

Activities

  • Prepare required information
  • Perform the defined audit activity
  • Document results in the audit tool
  • Coordinate with relevant stakeholders

Output

Documented result for step 12: Review & Approval.

← Back to overview
Monitoring & ReportingStep 13

Monitoring & Reporting

Track status, deadlines and escalations

Purpose

To support a structured, transparent and effective audit workflow for this process step.

Activities

  • Prepare required information
  • Perform the defined audit activity
  • Document results in the audit tool
  • Coordinate with relevant stakeholders

Output

Documented result for step 13: Monitoring & Reporting.

← Back to overview
Automotive manufacturing audit exampleIndustry Example

Automotive Manufacturing Audit Example

Example of a process audit for a brake assembly line in the automotive industry.

1. Audit Context

  • Industry: Automotive Manufacturing
  • Process: Brake System Assembly
  • Audit Type: Manufacturing Process Audit
  • Reference: IATF 16949 / VDA 6.3 oriented approach
  • Area: Production Line / Final Assembly

2. Audit Scope

  • Work instructions and process documentation
  • Torque control and parameter monitoring
  • Operator training and qualification
  • Traceability of parts, batches and machines
  • Defect handling and reaction plan
  • Measurement equipment and calibration status

3. Example Audit Questions

  • Are current work instructions available at the workstation?
  • Are torque values monitored, recorded and traceable?
  • Is operator qualification documented and up to date?
  • Can each brake unit be traced to batch, operator and machine?
  • Are rejected parts clearly identified and segregated?
  • Is the reaction plan known and applied in case of deviation?

4. Example Findings

  • Major NC: Torque monitoring data missing for one production shift.
  • Minor NC: Operator qualification record expired.
  • OFI: Digital escalation dashboard could improve reaction time.

5. Corrective Actions

  • Retrain affected operator and update qualification matrix.
  • Restore automated backup of torque monitoring data.
  • Define escalation workflow for missing process data.
  • Verify effectiveness after two production weeks.

6. Process Flow

Supplier Receiving
Incoming Inspection
Brake Assembly
Torque Verification
Functional Test
Final Inspection
Packaging
Shipment

Example KPI Dashboard

87%Audit Score
3Open Findings
1Major NC
1Minor NC
1OFI
In ProgressCAPA Status
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