Process and Operations Audit Checklist

About

A process and operations audit checks whether the way your team actually works matches the documented procedures for every stage of the flow. The P375 template covers seven of them: receiving, transport and storage, the environment and waste, order preparation, returnable containers, and shipping. For each stage you confirm what is posted and visible in the facility and whether it still reflects the current process.

Why it matters

Standard operating procedures only hold together when everyone can see them and when they describe the job as it is really done. Where they are not posted, or have drifted out of step with the process, instructions get passed by word of mouth and drift further. Asking the questions takes the guesswork out of it and points you to the stages where the written procedure needs to be updated, moved or re-thought.

What a good checklist covers

The P375 questionnaire covers receiving, transport and storage, the environment and waste, order preparation, returnable containers, and shipping. For several of these the questions come in pairs: whether the standard operating procedures are posted where team members can see them, and whether they are up to date and consistent with the current process. That pairing runs through receiving, order preparation, returnable containers and shipping. Transport and storage also ask whether the operating rules and instructions are posted, whether storage locations — including obsolete and surplus stock — are clearly defined and visible, and whether special stock, waste and abnormal products are identified by signage and operating standards. Returnable containers ask whether their storage area is defined and visible, and whether the relevant procedures are current. Answers are recorded as yes, no or not applicable.

Key stages

A full pass covers the stages below and asks about the written instructions that support each one. * **Receiving:** confirm the SOPs are posted and current, so that goods-in instructions are not passed on informally. * **Transport and storage:** confirm the transport rules are posted, storage locations are clearly defined and visible, and signage and operating standards identify where special stock, waste and abnormal products go. * **Order preparation:** confirm the SOPs are posted and consistent with the current picking and packing process. * **Returnable containers:** confirm the storage area is defined and visible and the relevant procedures still reflect the process. * **Shipping:** confirm the SOPs are posted and consistent with the current despatch process.

Audit record

The template captures who conducted the inspection, where it took place and when, along with the real start and end dates and a signature at the end. Because the questions are read against the procedures and the place itself, the record is only as useful as the evidence you attach to it. Where a procedure is missing, outdated or not visible, describe what you found and attach supporting evidence, set an improvement action and track it through to completion.

Frequently Asked Questions

Post the SOPs for each operation where team members can see them, and keep them consistent with what people actually do.

They show that the documented process matches the way work is actually done on the floor.

Record your name, when the inspection took place, where it took place, and the real start and end times.

Written by

Arne Reis

Founder

Process optimizer with 25 years of expertise, focused on operational excellence in quality, maintenance, EHS, and commissioning. Emphasizes innovative solutions and top-quality standards.

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