The IT audit process step by step

An IT audit is a widely underestimated way of initialising cooperation in IT. We are going to change it! After all, one cannot solve any organisational problems if they know the perspective of only one side - for example, of the management, who order the application to be optimised. Consulting is a service that not only facilitates the flow of knowledge and ideas, but also streamlines any reparative activities.

We are going to show You how to perform a worthwhile IT audit that will help You reach Your business objectives!

1. Step I: Determining the business expectations

   An IT audit should begin with a discussion with the management - not the IT department. After all, to properly optimise the applications or the systems, we need to know the business expectations and determine any ongoing organisational problems first. Sometimes even the best applications can cause trouble in totally different business areas. Therefore it is important to first familiarise ourselves with the comprehensive image of the enterprise represented by the management. That can later help establish objectives consistent with the needs of the entire organisation, not a single department.

2. Step II: The analysis of processes and systems

   The next step requires balancing the image of the firm as seen by the management against what it looks like in reality. To compare these two it is necessary to have the access to all the systems and applications employed by the Customer. Their analysis will make it easier to prepare for the discussion with the IT department.

3. Step III: IT workshop

   One of the basic communication problems is the difference between how the management and the programmers see the problem. An external impartial consultant, well aware of both perspectives, helps reconcile them.

   A meeting with the IT department allows us to determine the limits of the systems and point out any everyday problems the programming team needs to face. The management may not always see them, that is why external help is crucial to improve the quality of the work on the application.

4. Step IV: The conclusion of the audit

   The basis of audit consulting is the juxtaposition of all the elements that require optimisation. We, as Umbrella Limited, have devised a report system that clearly defines the areas researched, e.g. resizability, backup, recovery plan, application architecture, application code, monitoring, and so on. Every task is assigned a specific priority depending on the objectives established by the management. In that way the Customer knows exactly what system elements require immediate reaction.

   It is important not to consider the audit as the basis for yet another offer, but rather perform it for its own sake. An IT audit should be as comprehensive as possible and relate to business. That is why it needs to be performed by experienced consultants with the background in management rather than programmers focusing solely on testing applications.

5. Step V: A summative assessment workshop with the Customer

   The document itself is not always enough. The Customers often expect the work to be properly concluded by the consultants, and the results thoroughly presented and discussed. It is a great chance for the auditor to point out the critical points of the turnaround plan. All these actions ultimately result in the improvement in the situation of the audited areas.