Audit Software for IATF 16949
IATF 16949 places considerably higher demands on internal audits than the ISO 9001 it builds on: three audit types, a risk-based, prioritised audit programme spanning three years, and qualified internal auditors. IMS-Audit Cloud has been in use in the automotive supply industry for years — from owner-managed businesses to international groups.
Internal audits under IATF 16949:2016
For internal audits, IATF 16949:2016 significantly tightens the requirements of ISO 9001 (clause 9.2):
- Three audit types: quality management system audit, manufacturing process audit and product audit
- An audit programme spanning three calendar years that covers the entire quality management system
- Risk-based prioritisation — according to performance, trends and the criticality of the processes, including customer complaints
- Audit all shifts, including shift handovers
- A documented process for the competence of internal auditors, with a list of qualified auditors
- Customer-specific requirements (CSRs) as part of the audit criteria
- Corrective actions including root cause analysis and effectiveness checks
Note: this overview summarises key requirements and does not replace the text of the standard.
From requirement to practice — with IMS-Audit Cloud
Three-year audit programme
Audit programme planning shows months and years in a multi-year overview — you plan the programme required across three calendar years in a single view, across multiple plants too.
Go to feature →Prioritise on a risk basis
The process risk matrix rates your processes and derives the audit frequency from them — the required risk-based prioritisation is documented in a traceable way.
Go to feature →Conduct audits — on the night shift too
Audit on a tablet right at the line and record findings immediately — and where there is no network, work offline via Excel and re-import.
Go to feature →Audit criteria & catalogues
Ready-made IATF 16949 standard catalogue sold separately; you map customer-specific requirements in your own catalogues and categories and import checklists via Excel.
Go to feature →Complaints according to 8D
Customer and supplier complaints in a structured 8D workflow with 5-Why root cause analysis — you hand the finished report to your customer as a PDF in your corporate design.
Go to feature →Corrective actions with escalation
Root cause analysis, deadlines, automatic e-mail escalation and effectiveness checks — findings from audits and complaints come together in a single action cockpit.
Go to feature →IATF 16949 and internal audits
What does IATF 16949 require for internal audits beyond ISO 9001?
Essentially four tightened requirements: three audit types (QM system, manufacturing process, product), an audit programme spanning three calendar years with risk-based prioritisation, coverage of all shifts including shift handovers, and a documented process for the competence of internal auditors.
Does IMS-Audit support the three-year audit programme?
Yes. Audit programme planning is laid out as a multi-year overview across months and years — you plan the complete programme in one view, with multiple plants and sites kept cleanly separate, and adjust it flexibly when dates shift.
How does IMS-Audit help with customer complaints?
With the 8D workflow established in the automotive industry: problem description, immediate containment actions, 5-Why root cause analysis and corrective actions with deadlines and automatic escalation. You pass the finished 8D report to your customer as a PDF in your corporate design.
Is there a ready-made question catalogue for IATF 16949?
Yes. The IATF 16949 standard catalogue is one of the ready-made standard catalogues available from us separately — just get in touch. You add customer-specific requirements in your own catalogues or via Excel import.
More answers — on pricing, hosting and contract terms — in the FAQ.
Also part of the integrated management system
Audit Software for ISO 9001
audit programme, question catalogues, corrective actions and reports — with IMS-Audit Cloud.
Learn more →Audit Software for ISO 14001
audit programme, environmental question catalogues, actions with effectiveness checks, reports — IMS-Audit Cloud.
Learn more →Audit Software for ISO 45001
audit programme, site inspections on a tablet, actions with escalation and reports — with IMS-Audit Cloud in the browser.
Learn more →Internal audits under IATF 16949 — see it for yourself.
All modules included, no set-up fee — in a personal meeting we show you the cloud using your own topics.