Assurance · About 77 minutes, including exercises
Plan an objective audit around real work and report evidence clearly.
Work plan
Allow 12 minutes for each of the six modules: approximately three minutes to read, seven to complete the activity with a real example, and two to save the output. Allow five minutes for the quiz. Pause or extend a module when the work requires it.
Prioritise processes with significant risk, change, poor performance or customer impact. State scope and criteria in advance. Choose an auditor who can be objective and has enough knowledge to understand the work.
Pause and draw the current arrangement from one real example. Ask a colleague to challenge one assumption.
Keep: Current-state sketch
Sample records and observe work. Ask open questions about what happens when conditions change. Compare evidence with the criteria and record the exact basis for a finding. A single anecdote rarely supports a broad conclusion.
Collect a real record or measure. Write the decision it supports and one weakness in the data.
Keep: Evidence and decision note
Distinguish an immediate correction from action on a cause. Agree ownership and timing. Return to the process later to see whether the action worked. Report unresolved risk plainly rather than closing a finding because a date passed.
Write an action with owner, due date and a later check of effectiveness.
Keep: Action and review plan
Work through this with a real example in your organisation. Record what you found, distinguish observation from assumption, and note what must be checked next.
Choose one process, criteria, sampling method, interviewees and a realistic timetable.
Keep: One-page audit plan
Work through this with a real example in your organisation. Record what you found, distinguish observation from assumption, and note what must be checked next.
Take one transaction from requirement to result. Record what was seen, who confirmed it and where evidence conflicts.
Keep: Evidence trail and interview notes
Work through this with a real example in your organisation. Record what you found, distinguish observation from assumption, and note what must be checked next.
Write a specific condition, criterion and evidence; agree an action and later effectiveness test.
Keep: Finding and follow-up record
Check understanding
Apply it
Bring the six saved outputs to a colleague. Agree which evidence would show improvement and when to review it.