Audit Planning:
MetricStream Audit Management module allows creating an audit program with a well-defined objective and scope tied to quality, compliance and risk management processes. Auditors can organize an audit in a logical structure and hierarchy with detailed audit templates and work orders. Evaluation and pass/fail criteria, checklists, and tasks that need to be performed for executing the audit can also be defined.
Audits can be schedule periodically or triggered on an ad-hoc basis for suppliers, internal departments, or for specific products and processes. Based on the master audit calendar auditor or a team of auditors can be selected and assigned the audit responsibility with a due date. Automatic notifications are sent to the auditor as well as the entity to be audited.
Audit Execution:
The audit software enables auditors to record qualitative or quantitative findings along with detailed observations and recommendations in predefined formats alongside the checklist of evaluation criteria and questions. A unique offline capability allows auditors to enter audit findings in notebook computers or handheld devices at remote field sites without access to the corporate network and synchronize the data with the central repository when they can access the network. Audit managers can track the status of the audit and measure the progress against milestones to ensure timely execution. Time tracking capability captures the time spent in auditing for optimal resource utilization.
Audit Review:
The audit system routes audit findings, observation reports an auditors recommendations for review and subsequent actions. Findings are sent to the audited entity to seek responses on findings or issues observed. The application has built-in workflows for reviewing responses for approval or rejection with the options to initiate remedial actions for undesirable variations and trends as well as to schedule follow-up audits.
Reports and Metrics:
The system provides comprehensive capabilities for compiling audit reports and work-papers. The audit tracking software provides complete visibility into the audit process with easy status tracking. The system allows access to all audit data and histories as well as analysis of auditor performance and audit results. Graphical executive dashboards and flexible reports with drill-down capability provide statistics by a variety of parameters such as by audited entities, audit schedule and calendar, finding reports, and corrective and remediation actions triggered.