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ISO 19011:2016 Guidelines for auditing management systems

Categories: Quality Tools
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About Course

Build your confidence in auditing management systems with this ISO 19011 course. You’ll explore how to plan and conduct audits, evaluate evidence, and communicate findings clearly. Whether you’re new to auditing or refreshing your skills, you’ll develop a practical foundation for identifying gaps and helping your organization improve.

What Will You Learn?

  • You will learn the essential principles, processes, and skills needed to plan, conduct, and improve audits based on ISO 19011.

Course Content

Acknowledgements and Attestation

  • Submit Acknowledgements and Attestation

1 Scope
Section 1 Scope explains the scope of the auditing guidance document. In plain language, it applies to organizations that need to plan, conduct, or manage audits of management systems. It also explains that the guidance covers audit principles, audit program management, conducting audits, and evaluating the competence of people involved in audits, including audit program managers, auditors, and audit teams. The guidance can also be used for other types of audits, as long as the organization considers the specific skills needed and the audit objectives.

2 Normative references
This means that this document does not rely on any other external standards, documents, or references as mandatory requirements for its application. In plain language, users do not need to consult another referenced document to understand or implement this section.

3 Terms and definitions
Section 3 3 Terms and definitions explains how the document provides specific terms and definitions that must be used consistently when interpreting and applying the guidance. In plain language, it sets the meaning of key words so everyone understands them the same way and avoids confusion during audit planning, audit activities, and communication of audit results.

4 Principles of auditing
Section 4 Principles of auditing explains that auditing should be guided by key principles that make audits reliable, consistent, and useful for improving an organization’s performance. In plain language, auditors should act honestly, report findings truthfully, use good judgment, protect confidential information, remain independent and unbiased, base conclusions on verifiable evidence, and focus audit activities on areas of greatest risk and importance. Following these principles helps ensure that audit results are fair, objective, and dependable.

5 Managing an audit program
Section 5 Managing an audit program explains that an audit program must be planned, established, implemented, monitored, reviewed, and improved in a controlled and risk-based manner. In plain language, the organization should define why audits are needed, what they will cover, how often they will occur, who will perform them, what resources are needed, and how results will be managed. The audit program should be based on the organization’s size, complexity, risks, opportunities, management system maturity, previous audit results, and interested-party needs. It should also ensure competent auditors are selected, audit records are maintained, results are reviewed, and improvements are made when needed so the audit program remains effective and aligned with organizational objectives.

6 Conducting an audit
Section 6 Conducting an audit explains how to conduct a specific audit from start to finish as part of an audit program. In plain language, the audit team leader is responsible for initiating the audit, confirming communication and feasibility, planning the audit using a risk-based approach, assigning work to competent audit team members, preparing audit documents, and then carrying out audit activities such as opening meetings, collecting and verifying evidence, reviewing records, communicating progress, and generating findings. The requirement also explains that audit conclusions must be developed from verified evidence, communicated in a closing meeting, documented in a clear audit report, distributed confidentially to the appropriate parties, and followed up when corrections, corrective actions, or improvement opportunities are needed.

7 Competence and evaluation of auditors
Section 7 Competence and evaluation of auditors explains that auditors and audit team leaders must be competent, properly evaluated, and continually developed to ensure audits are effective, reliable, and objective. In plain language, organizations should determine what knowledge, skills, behavior, education, training, work experience, and audit experience auditors need based on the audit program and the type of management system being audited. Auditor competence should be evaluated using clear criteria and more than one evaluation method, such as record review, feedback, interviews, observation, testing, or post-audit review. If an auditor does not meet the required criteria, additional training or experience should be provided followed by reevaluation. Auditors and audit team leaders should also maintain and improve their competence through regular audit participation, professional development, coaching, training, self-study, and review of feedback.

Annex A
Annex A provides additional guidance for auditors when planning and conducting audits. In plain language, auditors should prepare carefully, understand the audit objectives, scope, criteria, and risks, and use appropriate methods to collect and verify audit evidence. It emphasizes that auditors should remain objective, communicate clearly, adapt their approach when needed, and ensure audit findings and conclusions are based on reliable evidence. Its purpose is to help auditors conduct audits in a consistent, professional, and effective manner.

ISO 19001:2026 Guidelines for auditing management systems Final Exam
This final exam is administered to demonstrate the participant’s understanding and comprehension of the course materials. A score of 80% or greater is required to receive a Certificate of Completion.

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Student Ratings & Reviews

5.0
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JB
Jay Banks
10 hours ago
Everything was really smooth and quick. I was able to complete my lead auditor training during a couple days coming into the office a bit early. So far I'm glad I switched over to qctnow.com. Thanks.
MD
Mark Durivage
1 week ago
This course provides is comprehensive and provides the information necessary to implement and excute an internal audit program.

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