What is one of the main objectives of an audit?

One of the primary objectives of an audit is to determine conformity with a quality standard. This involves systematically evaluating and verifying whether an organization's processes, procedures, and outputs meet the specified criteria established by standards, regulations, or internal policies. Through this process, auditors can identify non-conformities, assess compliance levels, and provide insights into areas needing improvement. The ultimate goal is to ensure that the organization operates effectively and maintains a high level of quality in its products and services.

The other choices do not align with the fundamental purpose of an audit. While eliminating all risk factors is desirable, it is not realistic or achievable through an audit alone. Audits focus on evaluating processes rather than directly enforcing policy changes, and they typically do not center on assessing employee satisfaction, although findings might indirectly influence that area. Overall, achieving conformity with established quality standards is a core function of auditing processes in quality management systems.