Summary
In short
- A layered process audit is an audit used in KnowOps that checks that a small number of critical process steps are being done as specified, by different levels of management on different frequencies. It is built against IATF and forms part of the Daily Management System programme.
- Run to a layered schedule. Carried out by supervisors through to the site manager.
- The template holds 47 fields across 5 sections.
- Scoring is compliance by layer, where high is good.
- IATF is automotive quality management. The automotive sector supplement to ISO 9001.
- It connects to the rest of the library: links Standard Work Verification and Internal Audit.
What it is
What it is
What is a layered process audit?
A layered process audit is an audit used in KnowOps that checks that a small number of critical process steps are being done as specified, by different levels of management on different frequencies. It is built against IATF and forms part of the Daily Management System programme.
When is a layered process audit completed?
A layered process audit is completed on the audit schedule, and wherever a finding elsewhere suggests a systemic gap. Run to a layered schedule.
When to use it
When to use it, and when not to
This audit is one step in a larger programme. Using it for work that belongs to a neighbouring template produces records that are hard to report on later.
Use it for
- The event or activity this audit covers has occurred, or is about to
- The workspace is being set up, or the register needs an entry added or retired
- You are running the Daily Management System programme and this is one of its steps
- A linked record needs this one to exist: links standard work verification and internal audit
Not for
- Tier Board Review, which runs the daily management meeting against a fixed agenda and records what was agreed and by whom.
- Gemba Walk Record, which records a structured walk of the process by a manager, what was observed and what was raised.
- Meeting and Action Log, which holds the decisions and actions from any operational meeting, with an owner and a date on each.
- Anything outside KnowOps, which belongs in the workspace that owns that process
Standards
What it is built against
IATFAutomotive quality management
The automotive sector supplement to ISO 9001.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What is the layered process audit template based on?+
It is built against IATF. IATF is automotive quality management. The automotive sector supplement to ISO 9001.
What sections does the layered process audit contain?+
There are 5 sections: header, conduct, findings, related records, outcome. Together they hold 47 fields, 39 of which are required.
How many layered process audit records should we have?+
This is a singleton. One record per workspace, set up once and maintained, rather than one per event. Other templates refer back to it.
Which programme does the layered process audit belong to?+
It is part of Daily Management System. Actions with owners and dates that survive the board being wiped.
How is a layered process audit scored?+
Scoring is compliance by layer. High is good. Scores exist to make the form tell you something, not to produce a percentage for its own sake.
Can the layered process audit template be changed?+
Yes. Every field, option, score and conditional rule is editable, and the links to other templates come with it. Most teams install it as it is, run it for a cycle, then adjust.
The agents
What the agents do with it
The form is the easy part. Keeping it current, routing it to the right owner and holding the evidence together is the work that actually slips.
Holds the layered process audit library against your registers, routes each record to its owner, and keeps the evidence trail together.
Coordinates the crew, rolls completion and exceptions into one view, and holds every write for your approval before it touches a record.
This template lives in KnowOps — frontline execution. Shift handover, production control, daily management, worker lifecycle and improvement.
Sources
Sources
- IATF — Automotive quality management