What is a process audit?
A process audit is an examination of results to determine whether the activities, resources and behaviours that cause them are being managed efficiently and effectively. A process audit is not simply following a trail through a department from input to output - this is a transaction audit. Processes generate results therefore for an audit to be a process audit it has to establish whether the results are being generated by an effectively managed process.
What is an effectively managed process?
An effective process is one that achieves the results that are intended – i.e. the objectives. An effectively managed process is a process in which the activities, resources and behaviours are planned, organized and controlled in a way that the outcomes meet specified objectives as illustrated right:How do process audits differ from procedure audits
As indicated above, process audits focus on results and this is the principal difference between procedures audits that in general focus on tasks.
| Procedures Audits | Process Audits |
| Identifies what tasks are being performed | Identifies what objectives are required to be achieved |
| Identifies who performs the tasks | Identifies the factors affecting success |
| Identifies the procedures governing the tasks | Establishes what the process is for achieving the objectives |
| Establishes whether the procedures are being followed | Verifies that the controls in place are consistent with the success factors |
| Establishes whether the person is trained to perform the task | Establishes the competences and capabilities required to deliver the process outputs |
| Verifies that the documentation is current and the equipment is calibrated | Establishes that competence and capability is being assessed effectively |
| Verifies that the working conditions are suitable | Establishes what results are being achieved |
| Establishes where the inputs come from and where the outputs go to | Establishes how outputs are being measured |
| Verifies that the personnel making acceptance decisions are authorised to do so | Verifies the integrity of the results |
| Verifies maintenance of records | Establishes that performance, efficiency and effectiveness is reviewed |
| Verifies conformity with ISO 900 | Establishes that improvement in performance, efficiency and effectiveness is pursued |