# Audit Report Contents (ISO 19011:2018 6.5)

## Required and recommended content

| Element | 6.5.1 | Notes |
|---------|-------|-------|
| Audit objectives | required | What the audit had to establish |
| Scope | required | Processes, sites, shifts, functions, time period covered |
| Identification of the auditee/client | required | Organization, site |
| Audit team and auditee participants | required | Roles; trainees and observers identified |
| Dates and locations | required | Including remote parts of the audit |
| Audit criteria | required | Standard clauses, customer requirements, internal procedures with revisions |
| Findings and related evidence | required | Three-part findings (see qms-audit-finding-writer) |
| Audit conclusions | required | Degree to which criteria are fulfilled; effectiveness |
| Statement on fulfilment of criteria | required | Explicit sentence, not only counts |
| Unresolved diverging opinions | required if any | Auditor and auditee positions |
| Audit plan, sampling, limitations | recommended | Uncertainty: audits are samples |
| Strengths / good practice | recommended | Specific and evidence-based |
| Follow-up actions and deadlines | recommended | Response times per grade |
| Confidentiality and distribution | recommended | Who receives it |

## Writing the conclusion

The conclusion answers the audit objectives in two to four sentences:

| Situation | Conclusion pattern |
|-----------|--------------------|
| No findings | "The [process] conforms to [criteria] and is effectively implemented within the audit scope." |
| Minors only | "...is implemented and generally effective, with N minor nonconformities requiring corrective action." |
| Major(s) | "...is not effectively implemented: [process] is absent / broken down. Corrective action and verification are required before [milestone]." |
| Follow-up of previous actions | "Corrective actions for NC-xx and NC-yy were verified as effective; NC-zz remains open." |

## Strengths that mean something

| Generic | Specific |
|---------|----------|
| "Good housekeeping" | "Shadow boards at all 4 cells; no missing tools found on either shift" |
| "Staff were helpful" | (leave out) |
| "Strong supplier control" | "Supplier scorecards with OTD and PPM reviewed monthly; two suppliers placed on development plans" |

## Timing and style

- Issue within 5 working days of the closing meeting (internal audits) or as the programme requires.
- No surprises: every finding in the report was presented at the closing meeting.
- Short: summary on page 1, findings table, finding details, follow-up. 3-6 pages for a process audit.
- Neutral language; roles not names; facts not opinions.