ISO 19011:2018 – Management Systems Internal Auditor
- Description
- Curriculum
- Reviews
This Internal Audit Course equips participants with the skills needed to conduct thorough and effective internal audits. Covering audit planning, process evaluation, compliance checks, and reporting, the course focuses on identifying risks, ensuring regulatory adherence, and promoting continuous improvement. Ideal for quality and compliance professionals, this course empowers learners to strengthen organizational processes and enhance operational efficiency.
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Learning OutcomesLearning Outcomes
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2Scope and Use of ISO 19011
ISO 19011:2018 is an international standard that provides comprehensive guidance for auditing management systems.
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3Scope of ISO 19011:2018
ISO 19011:2018 defines the parameters and general applicability of auditing practices to ensure consistency, transparency, and effectiveness across a range of management systems.
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4Intended Use in Auditing Practice
ISO 19011:2018 is intended for use by organisations of all types and sizes to improve the effectiveness, reliability, and value of their audit activities.
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5Intended Use in Auditing Practice
Promoting Audit Consistency and Transparency
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6Interfaces Between ISO 19011, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 22000
ISO 19011:2018 serves as the auditing guideline that interfaces directly with ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 22000, which are management system requirement standards.
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7Relationship with ISO 9001
Audit Requirement Fulfilment
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8Relationship with ISO 14001
Relationship with ISO 14001
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9Relationship with ISO 22000
Relationship with ISO 22000
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10Shared Interfaces
Shared Interfaces Across ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 22000 via ISO 19011
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11Aligning Audit Objectives and Methods
Aligning Audit Objectives and Methods
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12Defining Unified Audit Objectives
Defining Unified Audit Objectives
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13Planning Consistent Audit MethodsAligned methods are critical to achieving integrated audit objectives. ISO 19011 outlines how methods should be selected and applied in a way that supports efficient and effective auditing across multiple standards.
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14Structuring an Integrated Audit PlanISO 19011 provides a framework for creating an audit plan that incorporates multiple management systems in a coordinated manner.
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15Executing the Audit with Coordinated Methods
During audit execution, ISO 19011 supports alignment by promoting methods that are adaptable and applicable to more than one standard simultaneously.
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16Managing Findings and Follow-Up in an Integrated Context
ISO 19011:2018 also offers support for ensuring that audit reporting and follow-up activities reflect the aligned objectives and methods used during the audit.
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17Audit Stages in ISO 19011
ISO 19011:2018 defines a clear, structured audit process applicable to all types of management systems.
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18Audit InitiationThe audit initiation stage sets the foundation for the entire audit process. It ensures that the audit is necessary, feasible, and aligned with organisational objectives.
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19Audit PlanningAudit planning is critical to the efficiency and effectiveness of the audit. ISO 19011 provides detailed steps for developing an audit plan that prepares all parties for a successful execution phase.
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20Audit ReportingReporting formalises the results of the audit and communicates them to the auditee and audit client. ISO 19011 sets out requirements for clear, factual, and structured reporting.
Conducting the Closing Meeting
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21Audit Completion and Follow-Up
The audit process is not complete until follow-up actions are taken, particularly in response to any nonconformities or systemic issues identified.
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22Structured Inputs, Outputs, and Responsibilities
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231. Audit InitiationThis stage involves determining whether an audit is needed, defining its high-level parameters, and appointing responsible individuals.
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242. Audit PlanningAudit planning transforms the general scope and objectives into a detailed, executable plan. It ensures that the audit will be effective and efficient.
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253. Audit Execution (Conducting the Audit)This stage involves gathering and evaluating audit evidence to determine the degree of conformity to the audit criteria.
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264. Audit ReportingReporting converts audit findings into formal documentation that can be reviewed, acted upon, and retained for future reference.
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275. Audit CompletionThis stage finalises all documentation and ensures that all audit activities have been carried out and recorded appropriately.
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286. Audit Follow-UpFollow-up ensures that nonconformities are addressed, and improvements are implemented and verified.
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29Standardised Audit Process Guidance
SO 19011:2018 provides a structured set of process guidelines that ensure audits are conducted in a consistent, reliable, and effective manner, even when applied across different departments or sites within the same management system.
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30Principles Ensuring Consistency
ISO 19011 begins by outlining principles that underpin every audit, which serve as the foundation for consistent practice across departments and sites.
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31Standardised Audit StagesISO 19011 provides a process model that structures audits into defined stages, each with consistent inputs, activities, and outputs. Applying the same sequence across sites ensures that audits are repeatable and comparable.
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32Defined Inputs and OutputsBy specifying what information enters and exits each stage, ISO 19011 provides clarity and consistency.
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33Roles and Responsibilities
ISO 19011 clarifies responsibilities at each audit stage, which prevents inconsistencies across audits.
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34Audit Programme ManagementBeyond individual audits, ISO 19011 addresses the design and management of an audit programme, which ensures that audits across different departments or sites follow the same framework.
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35Practical Consistency Across Departments and Sites
Practical Consistency Across Departments and SitesApplying ISO 19011 guidelines in practice ensures that:
- A supplier quality audit in one location follows the same structured process as an environmental compliance audit in another department.
- Findings are reported using a uniform structure, allowing management to identify systemic issues across the organisation.
- Corrective actions raised in one department are comparable in format and verification process to those raised in another, enabling consolidated oversight.
- Auditors use the same methods and professional principles across sites, reducing variability caused by local practices.
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36Ethical and Professional Principles
Ethical and Professional Principles
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37Lead Auditor Competence
ISO 19011:2018 establishes the essential competence requirements for lead auditors, with a specific focus on their ability to manage the audit process effectively, lead audit teams, and evaluate complex systems within diverse organisational contexts.
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38Leadership and Audit Management CapabilityA lead auditor must possess the ability to manage the full lifecycle of an audit, from planning through execution to reporting and follow-up.
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39Behavioural Leadership and Team DynamicsBeyond technical knowledge, ISO 19011:2018 recognises that effective lead auditors must demonstrate behavioural competence that enables them to guide audit teams, resolve conflict, and influence stakeholder engagement.
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40Advanced Technical ProficiencyLead auditors require a deeper level of technical knowledge than other audit team members. ISO 19011:2018 places emphasis on context-sensitive understanding of both management system requirements and sector-specific applications.
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41Analytical and Organisational Skills
Lead auditors must be able to manage and process complex information while maintaining audit structure and integrity. ISO 19011:2018 treats these cognitive and procedural abilities as central to competence.
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42Communication Authority and Stakeholder EngagementISO 19011:2018 assigns lead auditors the formal role of liaison between the audit team, auditee, and sometimes external stakeholders. Strong communication competence is therefore essential.
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43Follow-Up Oversight and Corrective Action Verification
ISO 19011:2018 expects the lead auditor to take responsibility for ensuring that audit outcomes lead to meaningful follow-up, particularly in relation to corrective actions.
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44Competence Assessment in Auditing
ISO 19011:2018 provides a structured framework that enables lead auditors to assess and document their technical and interpersonal competence through both self-evaluation and external review.
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45Structured Self-Evaluation: Reflective and Evidence-Based
ISO 19011:2018 encourages lead auditors to undertake self-assessment as an ongoing process, using structured tools and reflective techniques to evaluate their performance across all aspects of audit leadership.
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46Technical Competence Assessment: Depth and AccuracyISO 19011:2018 defines technical competence in terms of knowledge and application of audit principles, management system standards, organisational processes, and applicable legal or regulatory requirements.
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47Interpersonal Competence Assessment: Behavioural EvaluationBehavioural competence is essential for a lead auditor, and ISO 19011:2018 defines specific characteristics that should be evaluated systematically.
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48Third-Party Review: Objective Competence ValidationWhile self-evaluation is essential, ISO 19011:2018 also emphasises the importance of independent review to validate auditor competence and ensure impartial assessment.
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49Continuous Improvement Through Competence Tracking
ISO 19011:2018 promotes the idea that competence is not static. Lead auditors must use the outcomes of self-assessment and third-party review to improve their practice.
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50Sector-Specific Importance of the Lead AuditorThe lead auditor plays a critical role in ensuring that management system audits are objective, effective, and aligned with industry expectations. While the core responsibilities of lead auditors, planning audits, leading teams, evaluating evidence, and reporting findings, remain consistent across sectors, the context in which these responsibilities are performed can vary significantly.
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51Manufacturing and Engineering: Process Control and Technical AccuracyIn manufacturing and engineering sectors, lead auditors are often responsible for evaluating complex production processes, quality assurance systems, and technical documentation under strict performance and safety standards.
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52Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals: Safety, Compliance, and DocumentationThe lead auditor’s role in healthcare and pharmaceutical environments involves assessing systems that directly impact patient safety, product quality, and strict regulatory compliance.
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53Construction and Civil Engineering
Construction and Civil Engineering: Site Safety and Regulatory Alignment
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54Information Technology and Data Security
Information Technology and Data Security: Confidentiality and System Integrity
In the IT and data security sector, lead auditors evaluate intangible assets such as information flows, digital infrastructures, and cybersecurity protocols, often using ISO/IEC 27001 as the audit framework. -
55Energy, Utilities, and Environmental SectorsAudits in sectors such as oil and gas, electricity generation, and environmental services require competence in evaluating sustainability practices, legal compliance, and operational risk.
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56Food and Agriculture: Traceability and Product SafetyAuditing in food production and agriculture requires knowledge of food safety systems, hygiene protocols, and supply chain traceability to protect public health and maintain certification.
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57Public Sector and Non-Profit Organisations
Public Sector and Non-Profit Organisations: Governance and Transparency
Audits in public services or non-profit organisations require attention to ethical accountability, governance structures, and efficient use of funds.
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