Project Audits and Compliance Evaluates and Contributes in Project Success

Project audits are usually unwelcome by companies. However, when they are done carefully, they can offer opportunities to rectify mistakes and rescue projects in trouble. Success of a project is determined by careful planning, flawless execution and excellent communication. An audit is similar to a review which is conducted to find out and evaluate the management standard pertaining to projects. These are conducted by an external auditor or a separate department in an office.

Project audit and compliance can also probe into the failure of projects. The scope of a project varies based on purpose, timing and type. Verification audits are pre-planned whereas the assurance and problem response audits are done in response to a particular problem pressing hard against deadline. Whatever the purpose behind doing them, audits must follow certain guidelines to make them effective.

Important Points in Project Audit Planning

Project audit has 4 main characteristics which are:

• Independence
• Alignment
• Institutional Support
• Transparency

Audits are essential and legally necessary. To have the best of audit results, project managers must cooperate with auditors in training, communication and feedback.

Policies and Project Audit Activation Method

To realize the anticipated benefits from audit, each step and deliverable must be clearly defined and communicated properly. The steps include:

• Mission Statement- Auditing the mission statement defines goals, objectives, authority and boundary clearly. It also clarifies the type of audits done.
• Skills Specification Audit- An extensive specification of auditor skills, experience, expertise along with technical skill to review the project.
• Stakeholder Audits- The role and responsibilities taken up by audit as well as project staff is provided in detail under this point.
• Spotting Criteria- Listing the criteria regarding the projects which will be audited. The criteria include internal value, complexity, risk, cost and past records based on which a project is chosen for audit.
• Initiating Procedure- This includes specifying the procedure for informing managers working on particular projects.
• Execution Procedure- This includes an entire list on the execution process including questionnaires, review of documents and personal interview with project staff.
• Reporting Procedure- Reporting the entire process of audit in contained in this point. Each party should be aware of the nature of audit as well as how reports must be provided within the organization.
• Appeal Procedure- In case audit reports need to be challenged, the procedure should be found in this point.

Accurate Implementation of Audit Procedure to achieve result

Accurate audit is the one which provides the correct review of anticipated practices and the actual practices during a project. In order to achieve the result auditing practices must be based on transparent communication. Audits can bring structure to the entire process and helps in realizing the original goals.

Project audit and compliance are important to evaluate the success of a project. Both the parties- the audit staff and the project staff should know the mutual goal for the audit process. For project audits to become successful, transparency is required among the staff.

Reading on Building and Construction Management Hones Your Skills

To constantly keep growing professionally and making success a habit, you need to keep improving on the work you do. To be able to improve on your work and deliver consistent performance you must increase your knowledge span. There are various ways to do it. One of the best ways is to read. Read books, journals, website content as these helps in knowledge expansion and also in creating your niche.

If building and construction management is your passion, it becomes mandatory for you to read on the books that offer something new for you to improve on your job. These help in honing your skills and develop a competitive edge over the others. Here is a list of such books for builders and construction managers. Follow the names:

• The Success Principles by Jack Canfield- In this book the writer has addressed several issues regarding success and the motivation to achieve it. It shows the right direction and is a great read for the aspiring and also the ones already working in this field. It also helps in maintaining great career along with a peaceful personal life.
• The E-Myth by Michael E. Gerber- This one is meant for small business owners and offers guide regarding systems, structure and various processes within company.
• How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie- This book by Dale Carnegie is a classic teaching on how to build valuable relationships in your professional sphere. Attentive listening and building effective communication skills is a part of this book because networking is extremely important in expanding business.
• The 5 Minute Foreman by Mark Breslin- This is an inspirational book. It talks about how 5 minutes every day can change your life. Just give yourself 5 minutes on a regular basis to change your outlook and to sharpen your skills. In the end the accumulative effect is great.
• The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey- This books aid in creating successful habits and also talk about how you can do it. He establishes the positive relationship between habits and success. Developing habits and reinstating them can make one successful is mantra reiterated through this book.

All these books and more can create a successful individual from an ordinary one. Not just reading but attentive reading can help you to improve your skills and lead you to becoming successful. Create habits that help you climb the ladder and make you successful in your chosen field.