What is an Audit

According to ISO 9000, the following is the definition of an audit.
Systematic, independent and documented process for obtaining audit evidence and evaluating it objectively to determine the extent to which audit criteria are fulfilled

Comparison of activity : You look at what is done and how it is done; and Compare it with the processes / procedures describing this, the way it should be done
If there are differences you have a “finding” (possibly even a non-conformity).

The Auditor should look for :

• Fact finding’ (not ‘fault finding’)
• The auditor should seek “compliance” (implementation) of the Process not “non-compliance” with it
• Focus on ‘Performance’ as well as ‘Conformance’
• Focus on audit for ‘Continuous Improvement’