Doing It Right Questions to ask during an audit
About the functionality of the system:
- How does the system work? How are transactions processed? Are transactions processed in a timely, secure and accurate manner?
- How well is the system working?
- Are people using the system? Is it easy to use?
- Has the system automated all previously manual processes?
- Does the system need any enhancements or additional modules?
About the security of the system:
- How timely and accurate is the data in the system?
- Is the system secure? How is access to the system defined? Who has access to it and what level of access do they possess?
- Does the system have audit trails that will raise a red flag if someone goes into the system who shouldn't and starts manipulating data?
About the implementation process:
- What went well? What didn't go well and why? Was it a technical problem? An organisational problem? A change in the marketplace or business climate? A snafu with a vendor?
- How can these things be prevented in future implementations?
- Was there a project management methodology that was followed? What was it? Was it adequate?
- Was the project structured and scheduled to facilitate completing it on time and on budget?
- Did the implementation team possess the skills it needed to get the project done on time and on budget?
- Was the project on time and on budget? Were there components of the project that went over budget or were delayed
About the post-implementation audit:
- What training is being offered to users?
- How is the help desk structured to deal with a potential influx of calls about the new system and new processes?
- Is there a process for logging problems with the system if people do have problems? What is it?
- What enhancements are or have been made to the system? Is there a log listing all the changes and enhancements, who made them and whether they had approval?
About the results:
- Did we achieve all the soft benefits that were laid out in the business case?
- Did we achieve all the hard benefits?
- Did we achieve the cost savings and ROI?
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