IRIS CERTIFICATION®

PROCESS VISUALIZED BY A TURTLE DIAGRAM

Date Revision number

16/02/2024 Initial version - rev00

info@iris-rail.org
www.iris-rail.org
+32 2 880 79 49
Avenue Louise 221, Brussels
Table of contents

1 Turtle Diagram .................................................................................................................. 3

2 Application of the turtle method in IRIS Certification® ................................................. 4
3 Turtle diagram template .................................................................................................. 5
4 Turtle diagram instruction ................................................................................................ 6

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1 Turtle Diagram
The turtle diagram is a tool to visually display process characteristics and other high-
level information to assist in the effective execution and improvement of key business
processes.

It ensures the effective and efficient auditing and provide the auditor with a compact
view on the processes and frame conditions to be audited.

Turtle diagram shall display the following relevant and critical items in a transparent
way:

• process name,

• process owner,

• internal and external customers of the process,

• internal and external providers of the process,

• material resources/ infrastructure,

• personal resources,

• process input and output,

• work content/ process operation,

• main risks and opportunities,

• PIs.

At least the content of the ISO 22163 requirements shall be ensured.

Turtle diagram should be one page overview of the process.

A Turtle diagram template is recommended and it is available also on the IRIS

Certification® Audit-Tool.

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2 Application of the turtle method in IRIS
Certification®

The organization to be certified is highly recommended to use the Turtle method also
for their internal audits.

The organization to be certified prepares the IRIS Certification® audit using the Turtle
method. Turtle diagrams are made available to the lead auditor via the data package.

A Turtle diagram is required for each of the “five (5) key processes for performance
evaluation” when applicable.

The lead auditor plans the audit and uses the Turtle diagrams for preparation.

During the audit, the Turtle diagrams are used to visualize the process in a highly
transparent manner and are applied by the auditors as a basis for performance
evaluation assessment.

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 3 Turtle diagram template

The below Turtle diagram template is recommended and available on the IRIS
Certification® Audit-Tool and attached to this document (please click the PDF logo
below).

1 2 3
Material Resources / Infrastructure (With What?) Process Owner Personal Resources (With Who?)

11
internal/external PROCESS SUPPLIER

internal/external PROCESS CUSTOMER

4 6
Input (What Do We Receive?) Output (What Do We Deliver?)
5 Process
10

7 8 9
Work Content / Process Operation (How?) Main Risks & Opportunities Performance Indicators (How Many?)

Editable Non-Editable
Turtle_Diagram.pdf Turtle_Diagram.pdf

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4 Turtle diagram instruction

Item-Nr. Description

1 Identify the most relevant material resources, e. g.

• buildings and associated utilities,
• equipment, including hardware and software,
• transportation resources,
• information and communication technology.
2 Identify the responsible process owner (function and name).
3 Identify the most relevant participants/roles involved in the process.
4 Identify the most relevant inputs, e. g.
• results of preceding processes,
• external requirements,
• internal requirements,
• laws, standards and regulations,
• raw materials.
5 Identify the process including process steps.
6 Identify the most relevant outputs, e. g.
• product/service (in compliance with input requirements),
• documentation (e. g. product documentation, reports, test
protocols).
7 Identify the most relevant work content/process operation, e. g.
• procedures,
• instructions,
• methods.
8 Identify the most relevant risks and opportunities.
9 Identify the performance indicators most relevant to customers/product
quality.
10 Identify the internal/external providers.
11 Identify the internal/external customers.

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