What is the purpose of conducting an opening meeting in the audit process?

Theopening meetingis a critical step in the audit process where the audit team:

Confirms the audit plan

Clarifies thescope, objectives, and schedule

Addresses any last-minute concerns or changes

Establishes lines of communication and cooperation

As perISO 19011:2018 – Clause 6.4.3, the opening meeting ensures mutual understanding between theauditor(s) and the auditee, helping set expectations and reduce confusion during the audit.