Frequent internal and external audits are required by ISO 9001 and other quality standards. Companies are examined to ensure their internal procedures follow the ISO standard as part of an ISO audit. The test's objectives are to verify that the system is operating as intended, pinpoint areas that require enhancement, and resolve or avoid any problems found. Even in difficult audits and inspections, businesses can improve their chances of success by using an ISO compliance checklist. Review the ISO standard, comprehend what an auditor looks for, and develop an audit strategy and checklist.

What Does the ISO 9001:2015 Audit Checklist Include?

The ISO 9001 Audit Checklist consists of the following:

The Context of the Organization

First and foremost, it's critical to specify the organization's context to ascertain the problems it hopes to address with the QMS. There are four steps to complete it:

  • Identifying the problems the company is attempting to resolve, both internal and external, and how they intend to assess the success of the action plans they have put in place.
  • Figuring out what the interested parties' needs and expectations are.
  • Establishing if the processes, goods, services, or all of them are covered by the quality management system. Additionally, all information should be thoroughly recorded and easily accessible to all stakeholders.

Value of Leadership and Commitment

Next on the list are management's dedication and leadership values. Will they accept responsibility for the QMS? The following elements demonstrate leadership and dedication values.

  • The method of problem-solving and risk-based thinking, as well as the degree to which the QMS is integrated with business operations.
  • Enhancing the client's experience with high-quality goods, services, and assistance with an emphasis on customer happiness.
  • Establishing a Quality Policy, conveying it, and outlining roles and duties are committed to.

Methods of Planning

A company's planning approach indicates a lot about its culture. Planning procedures should therefore be taken into account for:

  • Addressing detected hazards and opportunities and assessing how well the action plan was carried out.
  • Establishing and fulfilling quality goals.
  • Directing and carrying out initiatives to change.

Administration of Resources

Effective resource management is a common yet crucial corporate challenge. Among the elements of resource management are;

  • Possessing every resource needed for the quality management systems implementation and maintenance
  • Possessing a team that is capable and skilled enough to efficiently manage QMS procedures.
  • Possessing the infrastructure and tools necessary to provide standard goods and services.
  • Possessing the ideal workplace culture and setting.
  • Establishing the parameters for evaluating the processes' and goods' effectiveness.
  • Making sure employees understand their positions, duties, and expectations

Efficiency of Operations

The success of an organization is mostly dependent on operational efficiency in addition to resources. Organizations must so make sure that:

  • To organize, manage, and carry out the quality procedures, they have all the resources needed.
  • They are satisfying client demands for high-quality goods and services.
  • The design and development process for their goods and services has been standardized and made more efficient.
  • Their production methods are well under their control.
  • To keep a watch on, assess, and interact with the outside suppliers, they have the right processes and safeguards in place.

Evaluation of Performance

An organization's approach to assessing the QMS's effectiveness and performance can have a significant impact. An organization should value:

  • Make a plan for monitoring, measuring, analysing, and assessing the effectiveness of the QMS.
  • Select the appropriate measures, instruments, and techniques to address every facet of performance.
  • Put in place the appropriate controls to verify the results your QMS is generating.
  • Keep track of ISO 9001 documents, including the outcomes and how well they met compliance requirements.
  • Make well-informed company decisions about the necessary improvements by analysing all the inputs and outputs (having clarity of risk severity can also assist).
  • Put the right procedures in place to guarantee client satisfaction.
  • Arrange for prompt management reviews to ensure high-quality inputs.

Continuous Improvement

An organization's long-term success is determined by the quality management principle of continuous improvement. It is vital for understanding;

  • Is the organization aware of the prospects for improvement?
  • If the company is doing what it needs to do to meet long-term business requirements and expectations.
  • The proactive strategy for managing quality concerns and preventing their recurrence has been accepted by the organization.
  • If the company has all the necessary strategies and processes in place to address the nonconformances.