ABSTRACT
Conducting an audit involves three distinct phases of activity, each of which presents value to the process as a whole. The three phases of an audit are:
• Preaudit • Audit • Postaudit
The preaudit phase is one of planning as well as execution. A great deal of planning is involved in that details must be properly planned and managed to design the audit in a way that ensures a successful event. Execution is involved by actually accomplishing certain tasks prior to conducting an audit. Preaudit activity will involve:
• Scheduling the audit • Maintaining ongoing communications with the facility • Determining the number of auditors • Reviewing the application of regulations and company policies • Arranging travel for the audit
There are other things that must be done prior to an initial audit conducted within a newly developed audit program, such as auditor selection and training. Those issues are addressed in other chapters within this text. This chapter will focus on those tactical preaudit events that will occur routinely prior to each audit.
