Pilot projects are a combination of consulting and training that usually lasts from a minimum of one week to a few weeks. We can define it as a mini Continuous Control Monitoring. It includes the full scripting to automatically analyze one or more sample key objectives. The number of objectives tackled and the complexity of the supporting data determines the time required for the project.

Every Pilot project has the following elements:

• Complete analysis of all the parameters involved with the objectives.

• Preparation of an outline of the solution.

• Refining and automating the data access process.

• Thorough data quality analysis.

• Creation of the first outline scripting solution.

• Repeat the following cycle as often as needed:

• Run the outline

• Analyze the results

• Define unknown additional parameters involved

• Fine tune the solution

• Test the results…

• Finalize the scripts with lots of internal documentation (comments)

• Prepare the supporting documentation

•  Knowledge transfer (training) to use, maintain and further develop that nucleus of scripts.

The main goals of Pilot Projects are:

• Have some key audit objectives fully automated at a minimal cost

• Use the Pilot project as a custom scripting and ACL methodology training tool with immediate practical results

• Use the Pilot project as a trial study on Return on Investment before getting involved in a larger Control Monitoring Project that would cover most important audit or control objectives.

For large Pilot Projects, a portion of the work can be done off site.