Course Description

IT systems development projects fail to meet expectations of management and primary stakeholders at an alarming rate.  Project challenges negatively impact organizations customers, financial position and productivity.  This session will provide auditors with key information to better facilitate performance of assurance audits and non-audit/advisory services related to core IT systems development projects.  Project phases and the corresponding key controls to reduce risk will be reviewed/discussed.  Also, important elements for audit project planning, including risk assessment activities and sample audit programs, will be provided with examples to assist in the development of an audit/monitoring process.  Real life examples of IT project challenges and lesson learned will be shared.  Attend this training to strengthen your approach to auditing IT systems development projects.

In this training, we will discuss the following important issues:

• Project risks
• Project management triangle
• Participation, roles & responsibilities (Project Responsibility Matrix, Charter, etc.)
• Project management methodologies
• Executive management sponsors
• Risk management
• Phases
• Internal audit’s role
• Risk assessment/audit plans
• Audit programs/monitoring
• Key controls
• Status reporting
• Vendor management
• Post implementation reviews

Learning Objectives

• Review/discuss the barriers to completion of successful IT system development projects
• Identify/review the different system development life cycle (SDLC) methodologies
• Understand the key elements of the IT system development life cycle
• Identify/discuss key project risks
• Review/learn about primary project controls
• Review the different participation roles for internal audit
• Learn how to develop an audit/monitoring plan for IT system development projects
• Review engagement audit plans/activities for key aspects of the system development projects
• Provide examples of lessons learned and leading practices
• Identify/share auditor training needs and key reference materials/resources for future use

After completing this training, you will be able to:

• Understand the challenges & risks associated with IT system development projects
• Identify & test IT systems development project controls
• Assess project risks & plan audit activities to provide assurance and/or minimize risk
• Conduct audits and/or monitoring of project high risk areas
• Highlight problem areas to assist project management in receiving additional resources/ support

Who Should Attend

• Auditors/IT auditors with three or more years auditing experience
• More experienced auditors (greater than five years’ experience) that want a refresher on auditing IT systems developments projects/systems development life cycle

Prerequisites

3 years or more auditing experience with IT audit experience being a plus

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