Training Module
Auditing Objectives, KPIs & Performance Evaluation
Audit objectives, key performance indicators, and performance evaluation evidence across ISO management system standards
Training Module
Auditing Objectives, KPIs & Performance Evaluation
Audit objectives, key performance indicators, and performance evaluation evidence across ISO management system standards
Training Module
Auditing Objectives, KPIs & Performance Evaluation
Audit objectives, key performance indicators, and performance evaluation evidence across ISO management system standards
Move from “metrics exist” to “performance steers decisions and improvement”
Objectives and key performance indicators often look credible on paper while remaining unused, easy to game, or blind to real performance risks. This module helps auditors test whether performance information is operational, trusted, and actually drives review, prioritisation, and improvement.
Move from “metrics exist” to “performance steers decisions and improvement”
Objectives and key performance indicators often look credible on paper while remaining unused, easy to game, or blind to real performance risks. This module helps auditors test whether performance information is operational, trusted, and actually drives review, prioritisation, and improvement.
Move from “metrics exist” to “performance steers decisions and improvement”
Objectives and key performance indicators often look credible on paper while remaining unused, easy to game, or blind to real performance risks. This module helps auditors test whether performance information is operational, trusted, and actually drives review, prioritisation, and improvement.
Training module overview
Training module overview
Training module overview
In many management systems, objectives and key performance indicators (KPIs) are present but weakly operationalised: targets are vague, measures are misaligned, data is not trusted, or results are discussed without decisions. This creates “false assurance”: the appearance of control without evidence that performance is understood and acted on.
This cross-standard audit add-on focuses on audit judgement and evidence trails for objectives, KPIs, and performance evaluation. It does not teach how to set objectives or design KPIs (owned by the relevant foundation modules); instead it shows how to assess whether objectives are measurable and used, whether KPIs are meaningful (including gaming and blind spots), and how performance evaluation connects to management review and improvement. It applies to internal audits and third-party audits (certification bodies or other independent assurance organisations).
In many management systems, objectives and key performance indicators (KPIs) are present but weakly operationalised: targets are vague, measures are misaligned, data is not trusted, or results are discussed without decisions. This creates “false assurance”: the appearance of control without evidence that performance is understood and acted on.
This cross-standard audit add-on focuses on audit judgement and evidence trails for objectives, KPIs, and performance evaluation. It does not teach how to set objectives or design KPIs (owned by the relevant foundation modules); instead it shows how to assess whether objectives are measurable and used, whether KPIs are meaningful (including gaming and blind spots), and how performance evaluation connects to management review and improvement. It applies to internal audits and third-party audits (certification bodies or other independent assurance organisations).
Applicable environments
This module is intended for auditors working with organisations operating a management system based on an ISO standard following the high-level structure such as ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 22301, ISO/IEC 27001, ISO/IEC 27701 or ISO/IEC 42001. It focuses on requirements shared by these ISO standards.
Target audience
Target audience
Target audience
Aspiring auditors who want to audit management systems following best practices
Practising management system auditors who want to strengthen their audit knowledge, judgement, and effectiveness
Aspiring auditors who want to audit management systems following best practices
Practising management system auditors who want to strengthen their audit knowledge, judgement, and effectiveness
Decision support
Is this module for you?
It is a good fit if you…
seek to audit whether objectives and KPIs genuinely steer decisions and improvement.
are aiming to judge relevance, coherence, and use of performance information.
focus on identifying gaps between stated objectives and operational reality.
are prepared to base findings on evidence trails rather than metric existence.
expect to strengthen audit conclusions around effectiveness and performance.
seek to audit whether objectives and KPIs genuinely steer decisions and improvement.
are aiming to judge relevance, coherence, and use of performance information.
focus on identifying gaps between stated objectives and operational reality.
are prepared to base findings on evidence trails rather than metric existence.
expect to strengthen audit conclusions around effectiveness and performance.
If most of the points above apply, this module is likely a good fit.
It may not be the best fit if you…
prefer to design, define, or optimise objectives and KPIs yourself.
are looking for methods to implement or manage performance measurement systems.
focus primarily on facilitation, coaching, or improvement workshops.
do not intend to audit objectives, KPIs, or performance evaluation at all.
prefer to design, define, or optimise objectives and KPIs yourself.
are looking for methods to implement or manage performance measurement systems.
focus primarily on facilitation, coaching, or improvement workshops.
do not intend to audit objectives, KPIs, or performance evaluation at all.
Agenda
Agenda
Agenda
Audit intent: what you are judging
Building an objective-to-evidence audit trail
Testing whether objectives are operational and measurable
KPI relevance and “false comfort” patterns
Gaming, incentives, and blind spots
Interface to management review and improvement (audit lens)
Case-based audit simulation
Show detailed agenda...
Audit intent: what you are judging
Building an objective-to-evidence audit trail
Testing whether objectives are operational and measurable
KPI relevance and “false comfort” patterns
Gaming, incentives, and blind spots
Interface to management review and improvement (audit lens)
Case-based audit simulation
Show detailed agenda...
Audit intent: what you are judging
Building an objective-to-evidence audit trail
Testing whether objectives are operational and measurable
KPI relevance and “false comfort” patterns
Gaming, incentives, and blind spots
Interface to management review and improvement (audit lens)
Case-based audit simulation
Show detailed agenda...
Learning outcomes
Learning outcomes
Learning outcomes
Key outcomes
Assess whether objectives are operationally defined, measurable, and deployed beyond documentation
Trace objective → KPI → result → action chains and identify where traceability breaks down
Judge KPI relevance by testing alignment, coverage, and decision usefulness (not KPI “beauty”)
Assess whether objectives are operationally defined, measurable, and deployed beyond documentation
Trace objective → KPI → result → action chains and identify where traceability breaks down
Judge KPI relevance by testing alignment, coverage, and decision usefulness (not KPI “beauty”)
Additional capabilities
Identify common KPI failure modes: gaming, local optimisation, missing leading indicators, and blind spots
Triangulate performance claims using independent evidence sources and time-based sampling
Evaluate whether performance evaluation is actually used in governance routines, including links to review and improvement
Identify common KPI failure modes: gaming, local optimisation, missing leading indicators, and blind spots
Triangulate performance claims using independent evidence sources and time-based sampling
Evaluate whether performance evaluation is actually used in governance routines, including links to review and improvement
Additional benefits
Additional benefits
Additional benefits
Learning materials
Slide deck
Participant workbook
Templates & tools
Practical, reusable artefacts to apply the module directly to your organisation.
Objectives-to-KPIs audit trail map (traceability worksheet)
KPI relevance & coverage checklist (including blind-spot prompts)
KPI gaming and “metric compliance” red-flag catalogue
Sampling heuristics sheet for objectives/KPI evidence (levels, sites, periods, outliers)
Evidence triangulation guide (how to corroborate KPI claims without re-designing measures)
AI prompt set for KPI trend summarisation and anomaly triage (supporting auditor judgement; not automated conclusions)
Objectives-to-KPIs audit trail map (traceability worksheet)
KPI relevance & coverage checklist (including blind-spot prompts)
KPI gaming and “metric compliance” red-flag catalogue
Sampling heuristics sheet for objectives/KPI evidence (levels, sites, periods, outliers)
Evidence triangulation guide (how to corroborate KPI claims without re-designing measures)
AI prompt set for KPI trend summarisation and anomaly triage (supporting auditor judgement; not automated conclusions)
Confirmation
Certificate of completion
Module ID
HAM-AG-A-03
Domain
Audience
Auditor
Language
English
Delivery
Live virtual
Duration
2 h
List price
CHF 200
Excl. VAT. VAT may apply depending on customer location and status.
Delivery & learning format
Delivery & learning format
Delivery & learning format
Virtual live teaching
This module is delivered live, with a strong focus on discussion, practical application, and direct interaction with the instructor.
Sessions work through realistic examples, clarify concepts in context, and apply methods directly to participants’ organisational realities.
Custom delivery options
For organisations with specific constraints or learning objectives, the module can be adapted in format or scope, including in-house delivery and contextualised case material.
Not sure if this module is right for you?
Not sure if this module is right for you?
Not sure if this module is right for you?
For an optimal learning experience
Preparation guidance
This module is designed as part of a modular training approach. Topics are deliberately distributed across modules and are not repeated in full, in order to avoid unnecessary redundancy. Each module is self-contained and can be taken on its own. Where prior knowledge or experience is helpful, this is indicated below so you can decide whether any preparation is useful for you.
For an optimal learning experience
Preparation guidance
This module is designed as part of a modular training approach. Topics are deliberately distributed across modules and are not repeated in full, in order to avoid unnecessary redundancy. Each module is self-contained and can be taken on its own. Where prior knowledge or experience is helpful, this is indicated below so you can decide whether any preparation is useful for you.
For an optimal learning experience
Preparation guidance
This module is designed as part of a modular training approach. Topics are deliberately distributed across modules and are not repeated in full, in order to avoid unnecessary redundancy. Each module is self-contained and can be taken on its own. Where prior knowledge or experience is helpful, this is indicated below so you can decide whether any preparation is useful for you.
Assumed background
This module assumes auditors can already work with evidence and professional judgement and can read basic performance information. It does not assume capability to design objectives or KPIs.
Helpful background includes:
Understanding of audit evidence, sampling logic, and judgement boundaries
Basic familiarity with objectives, measures, targets, and performance reporting formats
Comfort navigating common evidence sources (dashboards, minutes, action tracking, operational records)
This module assumes auditors can already work with evidence and professional judgement and can read basic performance information. It does not assume capability to design objectives or KPIs.
Helpful background includes:
Understanding of audit evidence, sampling logic, and judgement boundaries
Basic familiarity with objectives, measures, targets, and performance reporting formats
Comfort navigating common evidence sources (dashboards, minutes, action tracking, operational records)
Preparatory modules
Foundational modules (depending on background)
Useful if you are new to the underlying concepts or want a shared baseline before attending this module.
Audit Foundations
Understand core audit mindset, evidence logic, materiality-based focus, and audit test plan design
7 h
Audit Foundations
Understand core audit mindset, evidence logic, materiality-based focus, and audit test plan design
7 h
Audit Foundations
Understand core audit mindset, evidence logic, materiality-based focus, and audit test plan design
7 h
Objectives & Performance Foundations
Learn the fundamentals of objective setting, KPI definition, and KPI governance for management systems
7 h
Objectives & Performance Foundations
Learn the fundamentals of objective setting, KPI definition, and KPI governance for management systems
7 h
Objectives & Performance Foundations
Learn the fundamentals of objective setting, KPI definition, and KPI governance for management systems
7 h
Supporting modules (optional)
Helpful if you want to deepen related skills, but not required to participate effectively.
Monitoring & Measurement Foundations
Learn the fundamentals of measurement methods, data quality checks, and measurement registers for consistent performance data
7 h
Monitoring & Measurement Foundations
Learn the fundamentals of measurement methods, data quality checks, and measurement registers for consistent performance data
7 h
Monitoring & Measurement Foundations
Learn the fundamentals of measurement methods, data quality checks, and measurement registers for consistent performance data
7 h
Performance Evaluation Foundations
Learn the fundamentals of analysing performance results, interpreting trends and deviations, and summarising evaluation outputs for management decisions
7 h
Performance Evaluation Foundations
Learn the fundamentals of analysing performance results, interpreting trends and deviations, and summarising evaluation outputs for management decisions
7 h
Performance Evaluation Foundations
Learn the fundamentals of analysing performance results, interpreting trends and deviations, and summarising evaluation outputs for management decisions
7 h
Audit Execution: Communication & Interviewing
Learn the skills for effective interview planning, questioning, and conversation control for reliable audit evidence
7 h
Audit Execution: Communication & Interviewing
Learn the skills for effective interview planning, questioning, and conversation control for reliable audit evidence
7 h
Audit Execution: Communication & Interviewing
Learn the skills for effective interview planning, questioning, and conversation control for reliable audit evidence
7 h
Audit Reporting & Follow-up
Understand how to write evidence-based findings, structure audit reports, and follow up agreed actions to verified closure
7 h
Audit Reporting & Follow-up
Understand how to write evidence-based findings, structure audit reports, and follow up agreed actions to verified closure
7 h
Audit Reporting & Follow-up
Understand how to write evidence-based findings, structure audit reports, and follow up agreed actions to verified closure
7 h
Continuous learning
Follow-up modules
Continuous learning
Follow-up modules
Continuous learning
Follow-up modules
After completion of this module, the following modules are ideal to further deepen your competence. If you are looking for a structured learning path, modules can also be taken as part of a professional track.
Auditing Context, Scope & Boundaries
Audit the credibility of organisational context, interested parties, scope, and system boundaries, including interfaces, exclusions, multi-site structures, shared services, and outsourcing
Duration
2.5 h
List price
CHF 200
View module
Auditing Context, Scope & Boundaries
Audit the credibility of organisational context, interested parties, scope, and system boundaries, including interfaces, exclusions, multi-site structures, shared services, and outsourcing
Duration
2.5 h
List price
CHF 200
View module
Auditing Context, Scope & Boundaries
Audit the credibility of organisational context, interested parties, scope, and system boundaries, including interfaces, exclusions, multi-site structures, shared services, and outsourcing
Duration
2.5 h
List price
CHF 200
View module
Auditing Risk & Opportunity Management
Assess traceability and consistency between context, risks, controls, objectives, and risk-based decisions
Duration
3 h
List price
CHF 250
View module
Auditing Risk & Opportunity Management
Assess traceability and consistency between context, risks, controls, objectives, and risk-based decisions
Duration
3 h
List price
CHF 250
View module
Auditing Risk & Opportunity Management
Assess traceability and consistency between context, risks, controls, objectives, and risk-based decisions
Duration
3 h
List price
CHF 250
View module
Auditing Operational Control
Audit evidence and judgement for whether operational controls work as intended in day-to-day practice
Duration
3 h
List price
CHF 250
View module
Auditing Operational Control
Audit evidence and judgement for whether operational controls work as intended in day-to-day practice
Duration
3 h
List price
CHF 250
View module
Auditing Operational Control
Audit evidence and judgement for whether operational controls work as intended in day-to-day practice
Duration
3 h
List price
CHF 250
View module
Auditing Documented Information
Audit fitness for use, consistency, and credibility of documented information across policies, procedures, and evidence
Duration
2 h
List price
CHF 200
View module
Auditing Documented Information
Audit fitness for use, consistency, and credibility of documented information across policies, procedures, and evidence
Duration
2 h
List price
CHF 200
View module
Auditing Documented Information
Audit fitness for use, consistency, and credibility of documented information across policies, procedures, and evidence
Duration
2 h
List price
CHF 200
View module
Auditing Management Review
Audit management review inputs, decisions, follow-up, and alignment with organisational performance
Duration
2 h
List price
CHF 200
View module
Auditing Management Review
Audit management review inputs, decisions, follow-up, and alignment with organisational performance
Duration
2 h
List price
CHF 200
View module
Auditing Management Review
Audit management review inputs, decisions, follow-up, and alignment with organisational performance
Duration
2 h
List price
CHF 200
View module
Ready to improve your management systems?
We support continuous improvement by embedding ISO requirements into everyday practice and daily operations.
Ready to improve your management systems?
We support continuous improvement by embedding ISO requirements into everyday practice and daily operations.
Ready to improve your management systems?
We support continuous improvement by embedding ISO requirements into everyday practice and daily operations.