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Critical Question

In this article, we will explore the concept of a "Critical Question" in audit templates. A Critical Question is a specific question of decisive importance during an audit. If a critical question receives an incorrect answer and becomes a non-compliant question, the audit automatically ends at that stage.

Setting a critical question in an audit template | AuditBLOOM

Requirements. You will need:

One of the roles:

  • Administrator
  • Template Management

Type of workspace:

  • Full workspace.

Step-by-Step Instructions​

Accessing the Audit Template Editor:​

  1. Log in to the system and navigate to the "Audit Templates" section.
  2. Select the template where you want to mark a question as critical, and open it for editing.

Selecting a Question to Mark as Critical:​

  1. Find the question you want to set as critical:
    • Open the appropriate section and category where the question is located, and ensure it supports a correct answer.
    • The question can be of any type except Annotation or Instruction.

Marking the Question as Critical:​

  1. Edit the question:

    • Click on the question to open its settings.

  2. Enable the "Critical" option:

    • In the question settings, locate the "Critical" parameter.
    • Check the box to mark the question as critical.

  3. Ensure a correct answer is set:

    • For the critical question to work correctly, a correct answer must be set.
    • If the auditor's response during the audit does not match the correct answer, the question will be marked as non-compliant.

  4. Save changes:

    • The template will save automatically after configuring the question.

How Critical Questions Work During an Audit:​

  • During the audit, the auditor answers the questions, including critical ones.
  • If a critical question receives an incorrect answer, and it becomes non-compliant, the audit automatically ends.
  • The system notifies the auditor that the audit has ended due to a negative response to a critical question.
  • The audit report displays the results up to the point of audit termination.

Notes and Tips​

Notes and Tips
  • Use critical questions sparingly: Apply them only to aspects of the audit that are crucial.
  • Formulate critical questions clearly: The question should be unambiguous to avoid misinterpretation.
  • Verify settings carefully: Ensure the correct answer is set and matches the requirements.
  • Inform auditors: Notify auditors about the presence and importance of critical questions in the audit.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)​

Question: What happens to answers to other questions if the audit ends due to a critical question?
Answer: All answers provided up to the point of audit termination will be saved. The audit report will display all completed questions up to the critical one.

Question: Can an auditor continue the audit after answering a critical question incorrectly?
Answer: No, the audit automatically ends, and further question completion is not possible.

Question: Can a critical question be set without a correct answer?
Answer: No, a correct answer must be set for the critical question mechanism to function. The system uses the correct answer to evaluate the auditor's response.

Question: Can multiple critical questions be included in a single audit?
Answer: Yes, you can set multiple critical questions. The audit will terminate upon the first incorrect response to any critical question.

Question: Can an auditor change their response to a critical question before the audit ends?
Answer: Yes, if the auditor provides a negative response, the system will warn them with an additional prompt:
"Warning! Your response to the critical question will immediately end the audit. Are you sure about your answer?"

  • Yes, proceed with audit termination.
  • No, I want to change my response.

Based on the auditor's choice, the audit will either terminate, or the system will allow the auditor to modify their response.