Guidelines for Auditing Management Systems: ISO 19011:2026 Guidelines for Auditing Management Systems

Who Should Attend?

• Internal and external auditors.
• Quality, Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) managers and officers.
• Management representatives and compliance officers.
• Audit programme managers and audit team leaders.
• Consultants involved in management system implementation and auditing.
• Professionals responsible for maintaining and improving ISO-certified management systems.

Course Objectives

By the end of the course, the learner will be able to:

• Understand the scope, terminology and principles of ISO 19011:2026.
• Distinguish between first-, second- and third-party audits.
• Establish, implement, monitor and improve an audit programme.
• Define audit objectives, scope and criteria.
• Plan and conduct audits using appropriate audit methods and techniques.
• Collect and evaluate objective audit evidence.
• Identify, document and report audit findings and nonconformities.
• Manage audit conclusions, corrective actions and follow-up activities.
• Understand auditor competence, evaluation and continual professional development.

Course Modules

Module 1: Introduction to ISO 19011:2026

• Overview and purpose of the guidelines.
• Key terminology and definitions.
• Types of audits and their applications.

Module 2: Principles of Auditing

• Core principles of effective auditing.
• Auditor integrity, confidentiality and independence.
• Evidence-based and risk-based approaches.

Module 3: Managing an Audit Programme

• Establishing audit programme objectives and scope.
• Managing audit resources and responsibilities.
• Monitoring and improving audit programme effectiveness.

Module 4: Planning and Preparing for an Audit

• Defining audit objectives, scope and criteria.
• Selecting audit methods and team members.
• Preparing audit plans and checklists.

Module 5: Conducting an Audit

• Reviewing documented information.
• Conducting interviews and observations.
• Collecting, verifying and evaluating audit evidence.
• Recording audit observations and findings.

Module 6: Audit Findings and Reporting

• Identifying conformity and nonconformity.
• Documenting objective audit findings.
• Preparing audit reports and communicating conclusions.

Module 7: Audit Follow-Up and Corrective Actions

• Addressing audit findings and nonconformities.
• Identifying root causes and developing action plans.
• Verifying corrective action implementation and effectiveness.

Module 8: Auditor Competence and Evaluation

• Identifying required auditor knowledge and skills.
• Evaluating auditor competence and performance.
• Maintaining competence through professional development.

Module 9: Practical Auditing and Course Assessment

• Applying auditing techniques to practical scenarios.
• Developing audit questions and checklists.
• Evaluating evidence and preparing audit reports.
• Reviewing key concepts and completing the course assessment.

Benefits

• Develop practical skills to plan, conduct, report and follow up on management system audits.
• Apply a consistent, evidence-based and risk-based approach to auditing.
• Improve the identification of nonconformities, risks and opportunities for improvement.
• Support compliance with applicable management system, legal and regulatory requirements.
• Strengthen audit programme effectiveness and auditor competence.
• Promote continual improvement and enhance management system performance.

Certification

• Certificate of Attendance
• Certificate of Competence

Assessment

• Delegates must complete the assessment with a minimum score of 60% to receive a certificate of competence.
• Delegates who score between 50% and 59% will receive a second attempt at the assessment.
• Delegates who score below 50% or fail the second attempt will need to repurchase the course.
• Delegates will receive an attendance certificate regardless of whether they pass or fail.