Which action indicates a need for improvement in the audit process?

The action indicating a need for improvement in the audit process is the lack of procedural documentation. In a quality management system, comprehensive and accessible procedural documentation is essential for ensuring consistency, compliance, and effective auditing. When procedures are not documented, it hinders the ability to perform thorough and consistent audits, which can lead to misunderstandings, variability in processes, and an overall decrease in the effectiveness of the quality management system. Proper documentation serves as a foundation for demonstrating adherence to standards and provides a clear framework for evaluating performance against established criteria.

The other actions, such as consistent audit planning, effective communication of policies, and positive feedback from employees, typically reflect healthy processes and indicate that the audit framework is functioning well within the quality management system. These elements contribute positively to the audit process and suggest that the organization is performing efficiently in relation to its quality objectives.