There are a few different types of audit to be aware of. We’ll briefly look at some of them below.
A system audit is a vital tool for assessing the effectiveness and appropriateness of a management system. It involves examining and evaluating objective evidence to verify that all applicable elements of the system have been developed, documented, and implemented in accordance with specified requirements. By conducting a system audit, you can ensure that your management system is both appropriate and effective.
Quality management system audits evaluate existing quality management programs to ensure they conform to company policies, contractual obligations, and regulatory requirements. In the same vein, environmental system audits scrutinize environmental management systems, while food safety system audits inspect food safety management systems. Safety system audits, on the other hand, assess the safety management system. By conducting these audits, you can ensure that your systems meet all relevant requirements and standards.
Process audits are an essential means of verifying that processes are working within established limits. By evaluating operations or methods against predetermined instructions or standards, you can determine the effectiveness of these instructions and ensure that processes conform to standards.
Finally, product/service audits are crucial for examining products and services to ensure that they meet all relevant requirements and specifications. By assessing hardware, processed materials, or software against performance standards and customer requirements, you can ensure that your products and services are of the highest quality.