Time Tracking for ISO Audits: Meeting Documentation Requirements

ISO certifications -- whether ISO 9001, ISO 27001, or industry-specific standards -- share a common theme: documented processes and verifiable records. For teams whose work involves significant time investments, this means having a time tracking system that can demonstrate both the process and the data.

What ISO Auditors Expect

ISO auditors are process-oriented. They want to see that you have a defined process for recording and reviewing work activities, that the process is consistently followed, and that there are records to prove it. This goes beyond simply having data -- they want evidence that the data went through a controlled workflow.

The Documentation Chain

A strong documentation chain for time tracking includes: a clear process for how hours are logged (what fields are required, what level of detail is expected), evidence that entries are reviewed (approval records with timestamps), records of any corrections or rejections (with reasons documented), and consistent output in the form of reports or exports.

Approval Workflows as Process Evidence

Your approval workflow is one of your strongest assets during an ISO audit. Each submission, review, approval, and rejection is a documented process step. The audit trail proves that the process exists, is followed, and produces traceable results. This is exactly the kind of evidence that satisfies ISO auditors.

Consistent Reporting

ISO audits often compare current practices to previous periods. Having monthly reports generated in a consistent format makes it easy to demonstrate continuity and improvement over time. AI-generated reports ensure format consistency while adapting the content to each month's actual activities.