How to Prepare for a Project or Process Audit by Darrel A. Raynor, PMP, CCP, MBA “HOW DO I PREPARE FOR A PROJECT OR PROCESS AUDIT?” Innocent sounding question, isn’t it?
I’ve recently advised several organizations to prepare an audit response process with a script and supporting documents. At least one firm did not, and is now paying the price of redundant preparation coupled with much unplanned work. Below are several tactics for running the audit gauntlet without undue stress. PROCESS Write out your goals and get sponsor approval. Look ahead and don’t let your short-term tasks such as passing a particular audit override your organization goal of having a comprehensive audit response available to use in multiple situations. You will save much time, effort, and get better results if you take the time to gather existing processes in an easily demonstrable form for multiple audit response. A CD-ROM using HTML linked documents works well, as can a simple folder-based document tree in a controlled area on your network. This approach can significantly increase the number of people qualified to present your processes for an audit. Side benefits from process
