Want to get more out of your internal audit? Use this tool wisely.
Want to get more out of your internal audit? Use this tool wisely.
How to get the most out of an internal audit
Internal audits: are they just a mandatory task for your organisation? Or do you use them effectively as a powerful management tool? Internal audits can deliver significant benefits—if you approach them in the right way. Read this blog to find out how to get the most out of an internal audit.
Why internal audits can be so valuable
The power of an internal audit lies not only in checking procedures and documents. Its real value? Discovering opportunities, risks and bottlenecks. You look behind the scenes and see how processes actually work, how departments work together and where there is room for improvement. This allows you to identify not only deviations, but also potential for improvement.
Anyone can learn it – and that's what makes audits so powerful
From reception to management: in principle, anyone can conduct an internal audit. And it is precisely by bringing colleagues from different departments together that cross-fertilisation, mutual understanding and a broader view of the process are created.
In our Internal Audit Skills training course, you will learn not only the theory, but above all the practical aspects. This includes tips on objectivity, asking probing questions, reporting and working together in audit teams. During role-plays, you constantly switch roles: from auditor to auditee and observer. It is precisely this observer role that is particularly instructive – you are literally “outside” and can therefore see what is really happening. And yes, sometimes you even discover hidden acting talent among course participants, resulting in colourful auditees.
Grandma stays at home: objectivity is your most important tool
A golden rule during audits: leave OMA at home. That stands for Opinions, Judgements and Advice. It is not your job as an auditor to propose solutions or give your opinion. Record what you see and hear – no more, no less. Analysis and interpretation of audit findings is the domain of, for example, the HACCP team. They have the overview and can perform a root cause analysis where necessary.
Experience makes a good auditor
No one is a perfect auditor right away. Don't expect that of yourself or your colleagues. It's all about gaining experience. Reflect after each audit: what worked well, what would you do differently next time? By practising regularly and sharing experiences, you will grow in effectiveness and confidence as an auditor.
Don't misuse the audit – and communicate clearly
A common mistake is to use the audit as a moment of reckoning. This undermines employee trust and causes people to shut down. The result? You get less information and miss crucial signals. Ensure an open atmosphere and clear communication:
What is the purpose of the audit?
What do we expect from each other?
What happens to the findings?
This creates a constructive dialogue in which improvement becomes a real possibility.
From ticking boxes to gaining insight: keep growing with peer review and training
More and more organisations want to get more out of their internal audits. Once the foundations are in place, it is a shame to use audits merely as a control tool. A logical next step is to gain more insight. Our customers asked for it themselves: ‘Our internal auditors are certified, but we want to go further. How can we take our audits to the next level?’
Training
Our follow-up training course, Internal Audit Skills Next Level, which we will be offering for the first time in September 2025, responds to this need. Reflection, exchanging cases, practising together and seeking deeper understanding. But the challenge lies in the time available. Organisations make time for Plan and Do, but often forget to invest in Check and Act. That's a shame, because that's where the real learning effect lies. Without those steps, the PDCA cycle remains incomplete.
Discover more about the training
Use the audit as an opportunity
Internal audits play a crucial role in identifying risks, areas for improvement and growth opportunities within your organisation. But this only works if you use this tool consciously and strategically. Would you like to know how your organisation can get more out of internal audits? Or is your team ready for a more in-depth approach? Contact us for training, coaching or intervision guidance.