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What is an Operational Audit?
One of the most
important areas often missed in business planning is the operational
audit. This is the first step that allows an organization, particularly
an established organization to really have the perspective and analysis
to create and implement a plan for growth and/or change in their
company, not simply a plan written to satisfy your banker.
An operational audit is
a full analysis of all of the systems in the club, both automated and
non-automated including every process or task that drives, impacts and
or influences your business such as how the front desk is run, how staff
are recruited and trained, membership recruiting and development,
governance, finances, back office processing, staff motivation,
personnel administration and more.
A system as the term is
used in the operational audit is an objective based process in which
each time a series of steps, events, and interactions occur
sequentially, the same or similar results are likely to be generated.
When systems are able to be put in place, the likelihood of mistakes
will be reduced and probability of meeting objectives greatly enhanced.
Additionally, organizations operating through systems are usually more
profitable and less labor intensive.
A full operational audit
should be done at least once every five years and usually is easiest to
maintain if the interim annual audits focus on a business unit or
specific task area that will impact results. The audit will identify
tasks and processes that are no longer used and or are unnecessary to
achieve the results desired as well as those that are essential or which
may expedite the result. Data is defined within the audit in terms of
inter-activity and tasks to avoid duplication and determine where data
could be better used to achieve the goals of the business or make the
tasks simpler. Additionally the utilization of physical facility and
interactivity of departments are considered as well as the methods in
which the personnel actually perform their jobs vs. the job
descriptions, training or perceived approaches. When this information
is coordinated with the tools available and/or obtainable, systems to
reach objectives begin taking on a new definition which will build
implementable business plans with specific action items.
The following
information is provided to bring a better perspective regarding the
process, information and potential results of an operation audit.
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