Company Audit Checklist
Choose the right machining partner before the first PO
This free, ISO 9001-aligned audit checklist is built specifically for CNC machining suppliers in China. It helps engineers and buyers verify capacity, quality systems, and risk controls in a single pass—on-site or remotely.
Wgat’s Included
What You Get
A single download that gives your engineering or procurement team everything needed to evaluate a CNC machining supplier in China systematically, whether you are conducting an on-site audit or a remote desk review.
Editable Excel checklist with 10 audit sections and auto-scoring summary
Every section is pre-populated with questions specific to CNC machining operations. Change any question to match your own supplier requirements.
Every section is pre-populated with questions specific to CNC machining operations. Change any question to match your own supplier requirements.
Weighted scoring system (0 / 1 / 2) with Grand Score %.
Each question carries a weight of 1–3 based on criticality. The sheet computes weighted section totals and an overall Grand Score percentage, giving you an objective, comparable number for every supplier you evaluate.
Each question carries a weight of 1–3 based on criticality. The sheet computes weighted section totals and an overall Grand Score percentage, giving you an objective, comparable number for every supplier you evaluate.
Evidence prompts for every question.
Each question includes a prompt telling the auditor what to ask for and what to look at on the shop floor. So nothing is left to interpretation and junior auditors can conduct a structured review with confidence.
Each question includes a prompt telling the auditor what to ask for and what to look at on the shop floor. So nothing is left to interpretation and junior auditors can conduct a structured review with confidence.
ISO 9001 clause mapping.
Every question is mapped to its corresponding ISO 9001:2015 clause. If your own quality team uses ISO 9001 as a framework, findings from this checklist integrate directly into your QMS records and supplier approval documentation.
Every question is mapped to its corresponding ISO 9001:2015 clause. If your own quality team uses ISO 9001 as a framework, findings from this checklist integrate directly into your QMS records and supplier approval documentation.
README with instructions and suggested audit flow.
A plain-language guide covering how to prepare for the audit, how to score consistently, how to interpret the Grand Score, and how to present findings and agree corrective actions with the supplier.
A plain-language guide covering how to prepare for the audit, how to score consistently, how to interpret the Grand Score, and how to present findings and agree corrective actions with the supplier.
Checklist Structure
10 Audit Sections
The checklist covers every area that matters for a CNC machining supplier, from certification and equipment to nonconformance discipline and logistics. Each section produces its own weighted score so you can see exactly where a supplier is strong and where the gaps are.
01
Company & Certification
- ISO 9001:2015 certificate: scope, issuer, expiry verified
- Quality manual and procedures under revision control
- Management representative and quality objectives defined
02
People & Competence
- Training records for operators and inspectors
- Competence matrix for critical processes
- Onboarding and qualification procedure for new staff
03
Equipment & Maintenance
- Up-to-date machine register (make, model, axis count, year)
- Preventive maintenance plan with executed logs
- Calibration stickers visible and current on all equipment
04
Materials & Traceability
- Mill certificates kept and linked to jobs and heat lots
- Conforming vs. nonconforming material segregated with visible status
- Material identification maintained through all production stages
05
Process Control & Verification
- First Article Inspection (FAI) before release to production
- In-process checks against CTQs with out-of-tolerance actions
- Job travellers present on the shop floor for live orders
06
Special Processes & Finishing
- Anodizing, passivation, plating controlled with thickness verification
- Masking and fixturing documented for treated parts
- Approved partner facilities for outsourced treatments
07
Measurement & RecordsMeasurement & Records
- CMM calibration current and traceable to national standards
- Dimensional inspection records retained per job
- Surface roughness and thread gauges calibrated
08
Nonconformance & Improvement
- MRB process with containment and documented dispositions
- Root cause analysis via 5-Why or Fishbone with verified corrections
- Internal audit schedule and management review records
09
EHS & 5S
- 5S discipline maintained across all production and storage areas
- Red/green status labelling consistent and understood by operators
- Safety procedures posted and PPE in use where required
10
Logistics & Customer
- Packaging standards defined to prevent damage in transit
- Delivery performance tracked and reviewed
- Customer complaint log maintained with response times
Why It Works
Why This Checklist Works
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Targets what matters for CNC machining — CMM capability, calibration records, 5-axis know-how, in-process checks, MRB discipline, and finishing controls. Generic ISO checklists miss these; this one does not.
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Compresses audit time with a structured Yes / Partial / No scoring method and clear evidence requests — so you know exactly what to ask for and what to look at on the shop floor.
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Reduces supplier risk by forcing traceability, special-process control, and corrective-action maturity into the conversation — before the first purchase order, not after the first quality problem.
Scoring Rubric
Simple & Strict Scoring
Three scores. No ambiguity. Every question also carries a Weight of 1–3 based on criticality. The Excel sheet computes a Weighted Score per question, section totals, and an overall Grand Score % — giving you one objective number to compare suppliers side by side.
0
No / Poor
Not implemented, or implemented but clearly ineffective. No supporting evidence available on request.
1
Partial
Implemented but inconsistent — evidence exists but is incomplete, outdated, or not systematically applied.
2
Yes / Effective
Fully implemented, consistently applied, and evidenced on request. Meets the intent of the requirement.
Each question has a Weight of 1–3. The sheet computes Weighted Score per question and a Grand Score % for an objective supplier comparison.
Audit Process
How to Run the Audit
A structured five-step process that compresses a full supplier qualification into a single focused audit session — on-site or remote.
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1Pre-Screen — Desk ReviewConfirm the ISO 9001:2015 scope explicitly covers CNC machining and that the certificate is valid — check the issuer, scope text, and expiry date before booking a visit.
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2Shop-Floor WalkCheck 5S discipline, red/green status labelling on material and WIP, quarantine and MRB areas, calibration stickers on measuring equipment, and pick up a live job traveller to verify it follows the part through production.
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3Deep DivesThree targeted areas cover what matters most for CNC machining specifically:
- Capability: machine list (3/4/5-axis, turning), PM logs, complex part samples with inspection data.
- Quality: FAI records, IPQC sheets for CTQs, final inspection reports, CMM programs.
- Special processes: anodizing / passivation / plating controls, thickness checks, masking and fixturing.
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4Score & CompareEnter 0, 1, or 2 for each question. The sheet calculates section weighted totals and the Grand Score % automatically. Use the score to compare multiple suppliers on an equal basis.
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5Close-OutRequest any missing documents before leaving. Agree corrective actions with named owners and due dates. The supplier's response to findings in this meeting is itself a qualification signal.
Use Cases
When to Use This Audit
The checklist is designed to be reusable across the full supplier lifecycle — from first-time qualification through ongoing annual management.
Shortlisting New CNC Suppliers
Run the checklist on every candidate before placing a first prototype order — China-based or otherwise. The Grand Score gives you an objective basis for choosing between factories with similar quoted prices.
Annual Re-Qualification
Use the same checklist each year to re-qualify existing suppliers. Comparing scores year-on-year shows whether a supplier's quality system is improving, stable, or declining.
Complex Part Transfers
Before transferring parts with tight tolerances, 5-axis geometry, or special surface finishing requirements, run the audit to confirm the receiving factory has the specific capability and process controls required.
PPAP-Lite / FAI Gateway
Use the checklist as part of a formal supplier approval gate before the first production order. Set a minimum Grand Score threshold as a pass/fail criterion in your supplier approval process.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about auditing CNC machining suppliers in China and how to use this checklist effectively.
A CNC supplier audit checklist is a structured evaluation tool used by engineers and procurement managers to assess a CNC machining factory's quality systems, equipment capability, traceability practices, and risk controls — either on-site or remotely. A good checklist covers ISO 9001 compliance, machine capability, materials handling, process controls, measurement systems, and nonconformance management. It produces a scored output that allows objective comparison between multiple suppliers.
Start with a desk review — verify the ISO 9001:2015 certificate (issuer, scope, expiry) before visiting. On the shop floor, check 5S discipline, red/green status labelling, quarantine and MRB areas, calibration stickers on equipment, and a live job traveller. Then conduct deep dives into machine capability (3/4/5-axis list, PM logs, complex part samples), quality records (FAI reports, IPQC sheets, CMM programs), and special process controls (anodizing, passivation, plating thickness checks). Score each finding and agree corrective actions with owners and due dates before leaving.
A comprehensive CNC supplier audit should cover ten areas: Company and certification (ISO scope and validity), People and competence (training records, operator qualifications), Equipment and maintenance (machine register, PM plans), Materials and traceability (mill certificates, material segregation), Process control and verification (FAI, in-process checks), Special processes and finishing (anodizing, plating, passivation controls), Measurement and records (CMM calibration, inspection records), Nonconformance and improvement (MRB process, root cause analysis), EHS and 5S (workplace organisation and safety), and Logistics and customer communication.
A three-point scale works well for CNC supplier audits: 0 = Not implemented or ineffective; 1 = Partially implemented but inconsistent or missing evidence; 2 = Fully implemented, controlled, and evidenced. Applying a weight of 1–3 to each question based on its criticality and computing a weighted grand score percentage allows objective comparison between suppliers. Sections covering materials traceability, nonconformance management, and process control should carry higher weights for CNC machining specifically.
Audit a CNC supplier in four situations: when shortlisting new suppliers in China for prototypes or production; during annual re-qualification of existing suppliers; before transferring complex parts with tight tolerances, 5-axis geometry, or special finishing requirements; and as part of a PPAP-lite or FAI gateway before placing a first production order. Remote audits using video tours and document review are acceptable for initial qualification, but an on-site audit is strongly recommended before committing to high-volume production.