Which audit task involves evaluating whether corrective actions have been effectively implemented?

Audit follow-up is the task that focuses specifically on evaluating the effectiveness of corrective actions that have been implemented in response to findings from previous audits. This process ensures that any identified non-conformities or areas of improvement are addressed and that the necessary changes have been made to mitigate issues.

During an audit follow-up, auditors will review documentation, conduct interviews, and possibly observe processes in order to verify that the corrective actions have been fully integrated into the organization's operations and are producing the desired results. This step is crucial because it helps to close the loop on the audit cycle, ensuring continuous improvement within the management system.

In contrast, other audit types such as the initial audit, surveillance audit, and final audit serve different purposes. The initial audit assesses the overall readiness of an organization for certification, the surveillance audit monitors ongoing compliance following certification, and the final audit evaluates whether all requirements have been satisfied before the close of a project or certification cycle. Each has its own objectives and does not specifically focus on the effectiveness of corrective actions in the same manner as audit follow-up does.