Audit management software
inforum runs audit management as one continuous process: audit program, scheduling and resource planning, question catalogs, evaluation, findings, and corrective actions all share a single data foundation. System, process, product, and supplier audits follow the same rules, in conformity with ISO 19011, VDA 6.x, and IATF 16949.
The Audit cycle in a system
Audits demonstrate the effectiveness of processes and management systems. ISO 19011 specifies the cycle: audit program, planning, execution, evaluation, corrective actions, and effectiveness review. IATF 16949 and the VDA standards impose stricter requirements for providing evidence across all types of audits.
The inforum audit module covers this cycle in full. The audit program governs the annual scope, the audit matrix plans across all plants, and a traffic-light evaluation shows the status for each plant. Question catalogs are built from standard chapters or from your own checklists. System, process, product, and supplier audits all run within the same structure.
When an audit starts, it takes the checklist as its own copy. Later revisions to the catalog leave ongoing and completed audits untouched. Evaluations and reports therefore remain reliable retrospectively.
What makes the difference is the phase after the audit. Every finding carries a corrective action, a due date, and an owner, and stays accessible through to effectiveness verification. Major nonconformities continue as an automatically generated 8D report, and closing that report closes the finding along with it. An audit can only be closed once all corrective actions are complete. Through the connection to Risk Management and Processes and Documents, audit results are available wherever they are put to further use.
Audit module overview
- Evaluation according to VDA 6.3 and your own models
The classification is derived from four independent assessments and always follows the lowest of them. Available schemes include VDA 6.3 classic and 2023, potential analysis, VDA service, VDA ISA 5, field failure analysis, and MAQMSR, along with freely defined models using your own criteria and weightings. - Audit program and annual planning
The audit program determines which areas, processes, and suppliers are examined over the year. The audit matrix plans every audit across all plants throughout the year, and a traffic-light evaluation shows the audit status for each plant. Dates, auditors, and resources are recorded for each audit. - Every audit type in one structure
System, process, product, and supplier audits follow the same sequence and the same data logic. Internal audits and supplier self-assessments draw on the same catalogs and evaluation rules. Results therefore remain comparable across sites and suppliers. - Question catalogs and checklists
Catalogs are built from the relevant standard chapters or as your own checklist. Recurring audit types start from a template that is adapted for each audit. Customer-specific requirements can be mapped as a dedicated catalog. - Findings and corrective actions
Nonconformities, recommendations, and observations are recorded during the audit itself. Every finding gives rise to a corrective action with a due date and an owner. The status carries through to effectiveness verification, and missed due dates are reported. - Suppliers in the process
Corrective and improvement actions are defined together with the supplier and processed within the system. Everyone involved sees the same processing status, without coordinating through email attachments and parallel status lists. - Analysis and evidence
Audit status, results, and action progress can be analyzed across all audits. For certification audits to ISO 9001, IATF 16949, or MAQMSR, the evidence emerges from day-to-day operations. - Modular architecture
Audits is a module of the inforum management software and works with Risk Management, Complaints, and Process and Document Management on a single data foundation. The platform can be extended with further modules as required.
Audit management with inforum
Annual planning across all plants
Corrective actions through to effectiveness
Comparable results
Frequently asked questions about audit management software
What features does audit management software provide?
Audit management software controls the entire audit cycle within one system: audit program, scheduling, question catalogs, execution, evaluation, findings, and corrective actions. In inforum, internal audits as well as process, product, system, and supplier audits all run within the same structure, with annual planning across all plants and action tracking through to effectiveness verification.
How is an audit evaluated according to VDA 6.3?
VDA 6.3 does not calculate the average of the points. The classification is derived from four independent assessments: the calculated degree of compliance, the sub-scores for each element, the starred questions, and individual questions scored at zero. The lowest of these always applies.
inforum calculates this logic automatically. Questions that cannot be assessed reduce the target number rather than counting as zero. The two-thirds rule indicates for each element whether enough questions were actually scored. The system reports the overall result, the sub-results for each element, and the A, B, or C classification.
Which audit types does inforum cover?
inforum covers system, process, product, and supplier audits as well as self-assessments. All audit types draw on the same catalogs, evaluation rules, and action processes. Results therefore remain comparable across departments, plants, and suppliers.
Which standards and evaluation schemes does inforum support?
inforum supports audits to ISO 19011, ISO 9001, IATF 16949, VDA 6.x, ISA, and MAQMSR, as well as to internal company requirements. Question catalogs are built from the relevant standard chapters, and customer-specific requirements can be mapped as a dedicated catalog.
The evaluation scheme is tied to the audit type: VDA 6.3 process audit in the classic and 2023 versions, potential analysis, VDA service, VDA ISA 5, field failure analysis, and MAQMSR, along with free scales for internal audits not bound to a set of rules. Customer-specific models are mapped using your own criteria and weightings.
How are audit actions tracked in inforum?
Every finding gives rise to a corrective action with a due date and an owner. The processing status can be retrieved at any time, and missed due dates are reported. The action stays open through to effectiveness verification, and suppliers work on their items directly in the system.
How does inforum support supplier audits?
Supplier audits run within the same audit program as internal audits. Corrective and improvement actions are defined together with the supplier and processed within the system. Everyone involved sees the same processing status.
Wie hängen Audits und Zertifizierung zusammen?
Interne Audits weisen gegenüber Zertifizierungsstellen nach, dass das Managementsystem regelmäßig überprüft wird. In inforum entstehen Auditpläne, Bewertungen und Maßnahmennachweise im laufenden Betrieb. Für Zertifizierungsaudits nach ISO 9001, IATF 16949 oder MAQMSR liegen sie ohne gesonderte Aufbereitung vor.
inforum for your audit management
Every company audits according to its own rules, standards, and customer requirements. That is why getting started with inforum begins with a conversation in which we take the time to understand yours. Explore inforum using your own audit program, your catalogs, and your evaluation schemes, and let our team guide you from the first question through to successful implementation.
