Which of the following is essential for ensuring effective audit follow-up?

Establishing a corrective action plan is essential for ensuring effective audit follow-up because it directly addresses the findings and recommendations made during an audit. A corrective action plan outlines specific steps that need to be taken to resolve identified issues, assigns responsibilities, and sets deadlines for completion. This structured approach ensures that the organization not only acknowledges the audit findings but also takes tangible steps to improve processes, mitigate risks, and enhance compliance.

When an audit is conducted, it often uncovers weaknesses or non-conformities within processes. A corrective action plan serves as a roadmap for organizations to implement changes needed to rectify these issues. By defining clear actions, goals, and timelines, the plan brings accountability and a systematic method to assess progress, thus enhancing overall quality management.

In contrast, providing employee rewards, enhancing marketing strategies, and conducting public relations campaigns, while they may have their own importance in an organization, are not directly tied to the audit follow-up process. Employee rewards relate to motivating staff and improving morale rather than addressing audit findings. Marketing strategies and public relations are focused on promoting the organization rather than ensuring compliance or improvement based on audit results.