Layered Process Audits (LPAs) offer companies tremendous potential benefits, but they’re also more involved than other audits. They task all of a plant’s personnel - including multiple levels of management—and cover all key areas at varying intervals. Creating an LPA system that is truly effective and obtaining the best, most accurate results requires a solid plan and prepared personnel.

At a high-level, implementing an LPA system usually includes the following activities:
• Process owners and managers become knowledgeable about LPAs.
• Process owners and managers spur initial development of audits by forming and training an Audit Team.
• The team formulates the questions that will be used in the audits.
• Process owners and managers work with the team to define layers.
• The Audit Team implements the audit system.
• Plant personnel conduct the audits.
• The Quality Department supports the entire system by analyzing and documenting the audits.
• Plant personnel implement suggestions for improvements.

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