Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
In order for the IS auditor to fully participate in systems deployment, it is necessary that
they have basic project management skills so that they can keep track of various activities
on the projects. Using project management software, the IS auditor will be able to have in-
formation on project tasks, duration, resources, costs, and dependences.
Need Identification
Enterprises have many competing needs especially if it is in a new market which is experi-
encing rapid growth and increasing product demand. These needs also include new inform-
ation technology systems or upgrading existing IT systems. The initiation of such projects
would be made by the user departments who are faced with a problem which needs a solu-
tion, might require implementing a new system or upgrading an existing system due to in-
creased demand.
A good example would be a pension investment company which has been in business for
over twenty years and has challenges with its current ERP system. The major problem be-
ing that the ERP system has limited functionality and most user departments are not able
to expand on their services. Among some of the problems include inability to send alerts to
customers, the database could no longer accommodate new customers, and the system was
not web-based and could not be integrated with the new procurement system which was
designed and developed in-house. Clearly there was a need which was identified by user
departments in the enterprise. In some cases, the needs can be identified by the IT depart-
ment or customers.
Once the need has been identified by the users' departments, the enterprise is required to set
up a team which can explore the needs further and define the specific needs. It is possible
that other departments might have other problems regarding the use of the ERP system or
problems which are outside the current system which can be included in the new solution.
A good starting point would be for management to set up a team of users and IT department
so that they can discuss the challenges they are facing with the current system and propose
possible solutions.
At this stage, the IS auditor might not be directly involved in the discussion but will need
to know the background to the current problems with the system. This could be done by
being part of the team or indirectly through reading team reports or minutes. IS auditors
also need to have the required understanding and knowledge of the enterprise in order to
fully appreciate the problems the enterprise is facing.
Feasibility Analysis
A feasibility analysis involves a study of the viability of the proposal made during the needs
identification activity above. The team appointed during the needs identification activity
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