An overview of the steps for performing an audit as per ISO 19011 guidelines

There are six main steps for conducting an audit, as listed here:

1. Initiating the audit:
   • Establishing initial contact with the auditee
   • Determining the feasibility of the audit
2. Preparing the audit:
   • Conducting a document review
   • Planning the audit
   • Task allocation to the audit team
   • Framing of documented information
3. Conducting audit activities:
   • Designating duties to guides and observers
   • Administering the opening meeting
   • Communication between the auditors and auditees and among the audit team members during the audit
   • Examining the availability and accessibility of audit information
   • Documented information examination while conducting the audit
   • Gathering and verifying information
   • Framing audit findings
   • Finalizing audit conclusions and conducting the closing meeting
4. Preparing and distributing the audit report
5. Completing the audit
6. Conducting an audit follow-up

Steps 1 to 3 are explained in this chapter...