Internal process audit

Course description

Quality and environmental management systems have evolved rapidly around the world in recent years, and the process approach is increasingly well understood and implemented in organizations. In order to make a valid contribution to process management and the performance of the quality and/or environmental management system, internal audits must assess the implementation of the process approach, which is one of the central pillars of several ISO standards. To achieve this, auditors need to assess the effectiveness of the processes they are auditing, and their consistency with the processes with which they are interrelated, rather than simply auditing compliance with planned arrangements.

This two-day course is designed to train new auditors, and includes a practical component enabling participants to audit their own company's processes, and/or use proven simulations and educational role-playing.

Target clientele

This course has been designed to train new internal auditors. It may also be useful for auditors who wish to refresh their knowledge, particularly in the light of the new version of ISO 19011. The person in charge of defining, implementing or managing the internal quality/environment audit program can also benefit from it, and communicate specific aspects of the company's system.

Course objective

2-day course on internal auditing of an organization's processes or system, with the aim of enabling participants to assess the effectiveness of a process, in line with leading and recognized practices, notably standardized in the recent revision of ISO 19011:2018 "Guidelines for auditing management systems".

Content

After understanding the concepts of process and management system, as well as the basics of an internal audit, participants will prepare and experience an audit in their own company, based on lists of questions prepared as a team during the session. They will present their audit conclusions during a closing meeting with the heads of the audited sectors.

This training, when combined with appropriate academic or professional qualifications, will prepare participants to carry out internal audits competently and effectively.

The training will cover, among other things, the following aspects:

• Process and management system concepts
• Audit principles
• Process management (PDCA)
• Fundamentals of auditing
• Audit preparation
• Auditing and communication techniques
• Audit practices in simulations and on real processes
• Structured audit conclusions
• Effective post-audit meetings
• Audit report and audit follow-up

Prerequisites

There are no academic prerequisites for this course. However, some knowledge or experience in management will greatly facilitate the appropriation of the concepts and techniques presented.

Duration

2 days (14 hours)

Evaluation

An examination may be offered, enabling the audit program manager and participants to assess the acquisition of the knowledge taught. A certificate of achievement will be issued on merit.

Notwithstanding the exam, a 14-hour training certificate is issued to each participant.