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FIGURE 5 THE SHEA INTERNAL AUDIT CYCLE could affect the delivery of the project;
as well as consider ways to mitigate
those risks. By adopting a proactive
approach; it allowed me to look around
corners and be prepared for possible
issues. Dynamic planning helps avoid
the requirement to be reactive to any
possible issues that could occur.
One of the biggest challenges I faced
during this project was ensuring all key
stakeholders remained motivated and
energetic to respond to my requests
within my tight timescales. To avoid
failing, I ensured I communicated
my requirements clearly to all my
stakeholders before and during the
project, ensuring they had agreed
to all timescales for delivery (such
as timescales for approving drafts
of the procedures). By keeping the
momentum going and maintaining a
positive channel of communication,
I managed to avoid slipping from my
planned timescales.

Conclusion
The updated policy, management and
work procedure for SHEA internal audits
was approved by our executive team
on 20 December 2018. The policy and
procedures were published shortly after
being approved and are being utilised as
part of WWU’s 2019 audit plan.
The updated policy and procedures
have been communicated to the
Project delivery reduced risk of non-compliance wider business through briefings and
Having established the key objectives picked up in audits by improved bulletins, which has been positively
and requirements of my stakeholders, processes. received and have allowed the asset
I set to work to enrich and update • Cost saving: improve the management, operations and WGA
the SHEA internal audit policy and effectiveness and efficiency of audits teams to adopt the new policy and
procedures. and closure of actions. procedures for the 2019 plan of audits.
I wanted to define what value may Improved risk management:
be added to the business through the • Risk management (compliance): Benefits to Wales & West Utilities
successful completion of this project, reduced risk of non-compliance This piece of work has brought many
which included: picked up in audits by improved benefits to the business. We have
Identification of audits: improve processes. now addressed findings around audit
decision-making information (e.g., • Risk management (resource completion with clear timescales
establishing which audits are included deployment): reduced risk of wasted and expectations for each area of the
in the three-year/annual audit plan). time and resources. business undertaking audits.
Audit completion process: review Business engagement: engage with key I have included clear guidance
undue delays between audit and decision makers, and those delivering and templates for report writing to
agreement of recommendations, the SHEA audit process. Obtain ensure there is consistency across the
actions and timescales, ensuring buy-in for the updated procedures, different areas of the business and
guidance is provided to all business ensuring that best practice is used there is a clearer, formalised approach
areas relating to planning, execution and collaboration takes place for to action close-out, so that this can be
and agreement of actions. improvements to be identified. consistently applied by the different
Report writing: Consistent approach/ My objectives were set against a tight areas of the business.
template to report writing across the timescale, so I utilised the use of a work Throughout the policy and procedures
three business sections. breakdown structure (WBS) to assist me there is reference to best practice.
Management of audit closure: review in delivering the project. My objectives The stakeholder engagement I have
a structured and formalised approach were broken down into their individual completed as part of the project has also
to action close out. deliverable tasks, and planned against allowed for commitment and buy in
a timeline. from those involved in the SHEA audit
Best practice implementation Before and during the project, I process and our leadership team – all
Reducing totex costs: realised that it was essential to take improvements that will enable successful
• Risk management (compliance): time to consider possible risks that outcomes for future SHEA audits.

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