ASQ CHA / CFSQA study plan
ASQ CHA / CFSQA · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 7 hours per week
Auditing Fundamentals
Define the audit fundamentals vocabulary (audit, criteria, evidence, finding, conformity, nonconformity) in your own words without notes
Distinguish between first-, second-, and third-party audits and classify 10 given scenarios into the correct type
Map the plan-do-check-act cycle to each stage of a typical audit lifecycle
List the common audit types (process, product, system, compliance, supplier) and state the primary objective of each
Your checkpoint
A one-page terminology and audit-type reference sheet you can recall from memory in under 5 minutes
Auditing Fundamentals & Audit Execution
Identify the ISO 19011-aligned principles of auditing and give one example of a breach for each
Describe how audit evidence is gathered, weighed, and classified as objective vs. subjective
Trace how a single piece of evidence becomes a finding through criteria comparison
Practice writing three findings in correct criteria-evidence-conclusion form from short written scenarios
Your checkpoint
Three fully written findings (criteria, evidence, conclusion) reviewed against a self-built checklist
Audit Execution
Differentiate major vs. minor nonconformities and observations using written definitions and edge-case examples
Sequence the opening meeting, evidence collection, and closing meeting activities and state the purpose of each
Draft 10 open-ended interview questions that avoid leading or yes/no phrasing
Explain how sampling and audit trails are used to select and verify evidence
Your checkpoint
A 10-question interview script plus a written justification of each question's intent
Audit Program Management and Administration
Draft a complete audit program covering scope, schedule, resources, and risk-based prioritization
Calculate audit frequency and duration for a hypothetical multi-process organization
Define roles and responsibilities across audit program manager, lead auditor, and auditee
Identify records that must be retained to demonstrate program effectiveness
Your checkpoint
A mock annual audit program document with calendar, resource estimate, and risk ranking
Auditor Competence and Resource Management
List the knowledge, skills, and personal attributes expected of an auditor and self-assess against them
Explain how auditor competence is evaluated, maintained, and documented over time
Describe how audit teams are selected and how impartiality and independence are safeguarded
Identify when technical experts or external resources are needed and how to integrate them
Your checkpoint
A personal competence self-assessment with a written development action list
Audit Planning and Preparation
Construct a document review plan that identifies inputs needed before the audit begins
Write a risk-based audit plan with objectives, scope, criteria, schedule, and assigned responsibilities
Prepare a checklist or process-turtle map for a sample process from written documentation
Define the information the auditee must receive in the pre-audit communication
Your checkpoint
A complete audit plan package for one simulated process, including checklist and pre-audit notice
Audit Reporting and Follow-up
Structure an audit report with executive summary, findings, conclusions, and recommendations
Convert the findings drafted in week 2 into a formal report section
Draft corrective action requests and evaluate a submitted root cause and action plan for adequacy
Explain the follow-up process and how closure is verified and recorded
Your checkpoint
A full mock audit report with at least three findings and corresponding corrective action requests
Auditing Fundamentals & Audit Program Management and Administration & Auditor Competence and Resource Management & Audit Planning and Preparation & Audit Execution & Audit Reporting and Follow-up
Complete a timed 100-question practice set and score it by domain
Re-study the two weakest domains based on the scored breakdown
Recite the audit lifecycle and the criteria-evidence-finding chain from memory
Review all personal deliverables and consolidate a one-page recall sheet per domain
Your checkpoint
A scored practice exam summary with a remediation list for any domain below 70%
Milestones
Week 2: Can define core audit terminology and write a correctly formed finding from a scenario without references
Week 4: Can produce a complete audit program with risk-based schedule and resource plan
Week 6: Can build an audit plan and checklist for a process from documentation alone
Week 8: Scores 70% or higher on the timed practice set in every domain, with all six recall sheets complete