ISO 10011-3-1991 (1993) PDF

Full title and description

ISO 10011-3:1991 — Guidelines for auditing quality systems — Part 3: Management of audit programmes. This part of ISO 10011 gives guidance for establishing, operating and maintaining a management function for planned audit programmes for quality systems (internal and external), including organization, responsibilities, auditor selection and programme improvement.

Note: the original international publication date is April 1991; some national adoptions and translations appeared later (1992–1994).

Abstract

Provides basic guidelines for the management of quality-systems audit programmes. Topics include organization of the audit programme function, standards and procedures to apply, qualification and monitoring of auditors, operational considerations (scheduling, resources, records), joint audits and continual improvement of the audit programme. It is intended to be used together with ISO 10011‑1 (auditing) and ISO 10011‑2 (auditor qualification).

General information

• Status: Withdrawn / superseded (replaced by ISO 19011:2002).
• Publication date: April 1991 (ISO edition 1). Some national adoptions published 1992–1994. For example, Finnish implementation recorded 8 November 1993.
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO); also published/adopted by national bodies (identical/adopted national editions).
• ICS / categories: 03.120.10 (Quality management and quality assurance).
• Edition / version: Edition 1 (1991).
• Number of pages: ISO bibliographic entry lists 3 pages for the ISO publication; national/adopted versions and full-text reproductions sold by national bodies sometimes list larger page counts (examples: Finnish/English adoption ~11 pages; Austrian adoption/translation listings show up to ~18 pages). Users should consult the specific national/adopted publication for exact pagination.

Scope

This part of ISO 10011 gives guidance for the management of audit programmes for quality systems. It is applicable to organizations that have an ongoing need to carry out quality-system audits and covers the establishment, implementation, monitoring and improvement of an audit‑programme management function to support audits performed in accordance with ISO 10011‑1. The document is advisory (guidelines) rather than a specification.

Key topics and requirements

• Establishing and organizing an audit‑programme management function (roles, responsibilities, authority).
• Defining programme objectives, scope and criteria; harmonizing with applicable standards and audit types.
• Qualification, selection and assignment of auditors and audit teams; suitability and team composition.
• Monitoring, maintenance and appraisal of auditor performance (competence, training, ethics).
• Operational planning: scheduling, resources, records and reporting for a managed programme.
• Joint audits, coordination with external parties and continual improvement of the audit programme.
• Code of ethics and professional conduct for auditors.

Typical use and users

Used by quality managers, audit programme managers, lead auditors, internal audit functions and certification bodies as guidance for creating and running systematic audit programmes for quality management systems. Also referenced by standards writers, trainers and organizations that coordinate multiple audits (internal, supplier, certification) or seek to harmonize combined audits.

Related standards

ISO 10011‑1 (Auditing) and ISO 10011‑2 (Qualification criteria for quality‑systems auditors) — these three parts were later consolidated and superseded by ISO 19011:2002 (and subsequent revisions of ISO 19011), which provides unified guidance on audit programme management and the conduct of audits for quality and environmental management systems. Other related standards include ISO 9000 family documents and national/adopted equivalents.

Keywords

audit programme, auditing, quality systems, audit management, auditor qualification, audit scheduling, audit ethics, ISO 10011, ISO 19011, quality assurance.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 10011‑3:1991 is the third part of the ISO 10011 series (Guidelines for auditing quality systems) and provides guidance specifically on management of audit programmes. It is a guideline (not a requirements standard).

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers establishment, organization and operation of an audit‑programme management function: objectives, responsibilities, auditor selection and monitoring, scheduling and operational factors, joint audits, records and continual improvement, and a code of ethics for auditors.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Quality managers, internal audit programme coordinators, lead auditors, certification/registration bodies and organizations that plan and run recurring audit programmes for quality management systems.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ISO 10011‑3:1991 has been withdrawn and superseded by ISO 19011 (first published in 2002). Organizations should consult the current ISO 19011 series for up‑to‑date guidance on audit programme management and auditor competence.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it was part of the ISO 10011 series (Part 1: Auditing; Part 2: Qualification criteria; Part 3: Management of audit programmes). Those parts were later integrated into ISO 19011.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Audit programme, quality system audit, auditor qualification, audit management, audit schedule, audit ethics, ISO 10011, ISO 19011.