How to Prepare for the Audit
Look through the
operational audit
options and prioritize the options that are most important to you. Make
sure that you have gained input from any key players. Once you have
prioritized the options, arrange an appointment with the team lead and
members or the team to finalize the details and schedule the visits.
The team lead will then
send you a packet of information (time permitting) containing sample
letters, dialogue scripts, memos, press releases, and other information
that will be helpful in communicating to your staff and the others if
necessary. It will be very important that groundwork is prepared so
that the visit is not misinterpreted but rather considered the most
positive and prudent action that a progressive organization could and
should take. In some cases, organizations are uncomfortable with the
term audit which is sometimes replaced with “analysis.” The term audit
is a bit more precise as it is an examination of items currently in
place with recommendations made to enhance the operations of the
company.
Keep a list of any
additional concerns or issues that you would like to have addressed if
possible in the audit. The feasibility will again depend on the time
available.
Make sure that calendars
are coordinated and events known. It will be quite valuable and
interesting to gather a week’s worth of competitor ads and
communications and any market share and data possible. There will be a
lot of things that you see everyday but seem to see anew while you are
preparing for the audit. Unlike an accounting audit, there should not
be a mad rush to make sure that things are in order as in this case we
are looking for SOP (standard operating procedure) as it exists. |
