Audit planning software for ISO 9001, 14001 and 45001 programmes
How certification bodies plan ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 audits: audit time, sector codes, integrated audits and the three-year cycle, and what audit planning software should automate.
For ISO 9001, 14001 and 45001, a certification body plans from four inputs: audit time (from IAF MD 5, with MD 11 for integrated audits), the client's sector code, the three-year certification cycle and auditor competence per standard and sector. Audit planning software should hold all four and propose a competent auditor or team inside each audit window. ScheduleAI by Checkfirst does this for management system certification programmes.
Key takeaways
- Audit time comes from IAF MD 5; integrated audits follow IAF MD 11.
- Competence is per standard and per sector code, so the same auditor is not qualified for every client.
- Integrated audits usually need a team.
- The cycle sets the windows: surveillance yearly, recertification before expiry.
Step 1: set the audit time
Audit time depends on effective personnel and risk or complexity. Integrated audits can be shorter than the sum of the separate audits when the systems are integrated. See IAF MD 5 audit duration and IAF MD 11 integrated audit time.
Step 2: match the sector code
Each client sits in one or more sector codes, and auditors are authorised per code. Background in IAF codes explained.
Step 3: cover every standard
Nobody covers all three alone, so the audit needs a team: A with B covers everything.
| ISO 9001 | ISO 14001 | ISO 45001 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auditor A | |||
| Auditor B | |||
| Auditor C |
QualifiedIn trainingNot qualified
Step 4: place it in the cycle
Stage 1 and stage 2 at the start, surveillance at least once a year, recertification before the certificate expires. See surveillance audit frequency and recertification audit timing.
What changes with software?
A global assurance provider scheduled 305 largely integrated audits in 11 minutes 24 seconds, with 22 audit teams formed automatically. Source: our published results.
ScheduleAI by Checkfirst holds audit time, sector codes, the certification cycle and competence per standard, forms teams for integrated ISO 9001, 14001 and 45001 audits and keeps each audit inside its window. See our page for management system certification.
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How is ISO 9001 audit time calculated?
From IAF MD 5, based on effective personnel and adjusted for complexity and risk.
Can ISO 9001, 14001 and 45001 be audited together?
Yes, as an integrated audit, with audit time set under IAF MD 11 and usually a team.
Does one auditor need all three qualifications?
No. The team as a whole must cover every standard and sector.