Audit (ITILv3):    Formal inspection and verification to check whether a Standard or set of Guidelines is being followed, that Records are accurate, or that Efficiency and Effectiveness targets are being met. An Audit may be carried out by internal or external groups.

See also: Certification, Assessment

Audit (ITILv2):    A process of inspection, correction and verification. Apart from their obvious financial application, audits are used to check the economy, efficiency, effectiveness and equity of an activity or process and to confirm (or otherwise) that an activity is being carried out to a common standard or in accordance with recognized best practice. In this sense, audits will tend to recommend, rather than implement corrective action.

See also: Auditing for Compliance

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