ISO 9001:2015 requires top management to review the quality management system at planned intervals to ensure its continuing suitability, adequacy, effectiveness, and alignment with the strategic direction of the organisation. The auditor’s focus, especially during a surveillance audit covering improvement actions, must therefore be on evidence that management review is being carried out correctly and that it results in QMS-related decisions and changes.
Relevant ISO 9001 clauses include:
Clause 9.3.1 – Management review (General)Top management shall review the organisation’s quality management system at planned intervals.
Clause 9.3.3 – Management review outputsThe outputs of management review shall include decisions and actions related to opportunities for improvement and any need for changes to the QMS.
Explanation of the correct options:
A. The date of the most recent management review meeting
This is directly relevant because ISO 9001 requires management reviews to occur at planned intervals. The auditor must confirm that the review has taken place and that it is current, especially during a surveillance audit.
E. Changes made to the quality system by the new Quality Manager
This is directly linked to management review outputs and improvement actions. Since a new Quality Manager has been appointed, the auditor must verify whether changes to the QMS were reviewed, approved, and monitored through management review in line with Clauses 9.3.3 and 10.3.
Explanation of why the other options are not relevant:
B: Workforce redundancies are a human resources or business decision unless they directly affect QMS effectiveness, which is not indicated here.
C: Increased profitability is a business outcome, not a required management review input or output under ISO 9001.
D: Pension scheme improvements are unrelated to QMS performance or improvement.
F: A bonus scheme may relate to productivity, but unless it directly affects QMS objectives or process performance reviewed in management review, it is not a required checklist item.
ISO-aligned conclusion:
For an audit focusing on improvement actions and management review, the auditor’s checklist should confirm:
That management review has been conducted as required, and
That QMS-related changes and improvements (especially under a new Quality Manager) are being reviewed and controlled.
