A mishandled audit can result in financial consequences far more severe than a slap on the wrist.
Onsite Workshop
A failed audit can result in:
Large unexpected punitive fines or injunctions
Disruption to business continuity
Follow-on audits (potentially from other vendors)
Reduced negotiating power with vendors
A proactive approach to audits leads to:
Reduced risk of non-compliance and avoidance of cost repercussions
Reduced duration of audit and minimal disruption to business continuity
Clear understanding of regulatory requirements and licensing strategy as business needs evolve
Understanding and development of a SAM practice with accurate data for effective decision making
Module 1: Prevent an Audit
The Purpose
Kick off the project
Identify challenges and red flags
Determine maturity and outline internal audit
Clarify stakeholder responsibilities
Build and structure audit team
Key Benefits Achieved
Leverage value from your audit management program
Begin your proactive audit management journey
A documented consolidated licensing position, which ensures that you are not blindsided by a sudden audit request
Activities:
Outputs:
1.1
Perform a maturity assessment of the current environment
Maturity assessment
1.2
Classify licensing contracts/vendors
1.3
Conduct a software inventory
1.4
Meter application usage
1.5
Manual checks
1.6
Gather software licensing data
1.7
Reconcile licenses
Effective license position/license reconciliation
1.8
Create your audit team and assign accountability
Audit team RACI chart
Module 2: Prepare for an Audit
The Purpose
Create a strategy for audit response
Know the types of requests
Scope the engagement
Understand scheduling challenges
Know roles and responsibilities
Understand common audit pitfalls
Define audit goals
Key Benefits Achieved
Take control of the situation and prepare a measured response
A dedicated team responsible for all audit-related activities
A formalized audit plan containing team responsibilities and audit conduct policies
Activities:
Outputs:
2.1
Use Info-Tech’s readiness assessment template
Readiness assessment
2.2
Define the scope of the audit
Audit scoping email template
Module 3: Conduct the Audit
The Purpose
Overview of process conducted
Kick-off and self-assessment
Identify documentation requirements
Prepare required documentation
Data validation process
Provide resources to enable the auditor
Tailor audit management to vendor compliance position
Enforce best-practice audit behaviors
Key Benefits Achieved
A successful audit with minimal impact on IT resources
Reduced severity of audit findings
Activities:
Outputs:
3.1
Communicate audit commencement to staff
Audit launch email template
Module 4: Manage Post-Audit Activities
The Purpose
Clarify auditor findings and recommendations
Access severity of audit findings
Develop a plan for refuting unwarranted findings
Disclose findings to management
Analyze opportunities for remediation
Provide remediation options and present potential solutions
Key Benefits Achieved
Ensure your audit was productive and beneficial
Improve your ability to manage audits
Come to a consensus on which findings truly necessitate organizational change
Activities:
Outputs:
4.1
Don't accept the penalties; negotiate with vendors
4.2
Close the audit and assess the financial impact
A consensus on which findings truly necessitate organizational change
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Onsite Workshops offer an easy way to accelerate your project. If you are unable to do the project yourself, and a Guided Implementation isn’t enough, we offer low-cost onsite delivery of our Project Workshops. We take you through every phase of your project and ensure that you have a road map in place to complete your project successfully.
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