Printable resource
Audit-readiness checklist: know the gaps before the audit starts.
Use this working checklist for an upcoming ISO or customer audit. It does not assess conformity; it helps the team make scope, evidence, responsibilities, open decisions and delivery readiness visible.
Audit-readiness review
Audit owner
Named
Next step
Gap follow-up
Scope confirmed
Evidence owners assigned
Open decisions visible
Use for
Start with the audit request
Record who is asking, which entities, sites, processes, suppliers or time periods are in scope and what delivery format is expected.
Separate evidence gaps from decision gaps
A missing file, an outdated version and an unresolved review decision require different responsibilities and actions. Make that distinction explicit.
Prepare an agreed handoff
Agree what may be shared, with whom and in which version. Audit preparation should not turn the full evidence library into a shared folder without clear access rules.
Working checklist
Review readiness in six areas.
Use one copy per audit. Add owner, due date and status beside every open point in your task or audit system.
1. Scope and request
Is the team preparing for the same audit question?
Audit type, requesting party and target date are known.
Entities, sites, processes and time period in scope are documented.
Expected evidence format and delivery channel are clarified.
2. Roles and coordination
Does every part of the preparation have an owner?
One person coordinates the overall audit response.
A responsible reviewer is assigned for each evidence area.
Escalation path and decision deadlines are agreed.
3. Evidence inventory
Can the team identify the required concrete records?
Expected evidence is mapped to the audit scope.
Concrete versions, sources and validity are identifiable.
Duplicate, conflicting or obsolete records are marked.
4. Review and gaps
Are open issues visible and owned?
Relevant evidence has a documented review outcome.
Missing records, expired versions and decision gaps are separated.
Every open gap has owner, due date and next action.
5. Traceability
Can the team explain the evidence and its history?
Evidence remains connected to requirement, process or business object.
Approvals, changes and qualifications can be reconstructed.
Answers and supporting evidence are consistent with each other.
6. Delivery and follow-up
Is the handoff agreed and reusable?
Only approved evidence for the intended recipient is selected.
Recipient, shared version and release decision will be recorded.
Post-audit findings and follow-up actions have an owner.
Process
Run a short readiness meeting
Bring audit coordination and responsible reviewers together.
Review only open or uncertain checklist items.
Prioritize gaps by audit impact and lead time.
Confirm evidence-release decisions before delivery.
Schedule the post-audit follow-up while responsibilities are clear.
Learn more
Related guidance
Questions and answers
Audit-readiness FAQ
Does this checklist confirm audit readiness?
No. It structures operational preparation. The auditor determines findings and any conformity or certification outcome.
Can we use it for customer audits?
Yes. Adapt scope, expected evidence and delivery decisions to the concrete customer request.
Who owns the checklist?
One audit coordinator should own completion while the responsible reviewers decide on evidence in their areas.
When should we start?
Start early enough for missing evidence, renewed versions and review decisions to be completed without last-minute escalation.
Should every document be shared?
No. Select only the approved evidence appropriate for the audit scope and recipient.
Next step
Turn your next audit into a repeatable evidence process.
Bring the checklist and one upcoming audit to the conversation. We will identify how scope, gaps, owners and approved evidence can stay connected.