How do you audit software reviews?

1 Define the audit scope and objectives

The first step in auditing software reviews is to define the scope and objectives of the audit. The scope determines what aspects of the software reviews will be examined, such as the review types, methods, tools, roles, and responsibilities. The objectives specify what the audit aims to achieve, such as verifying compliance, identifying gaps, or recommending improvements. The scope and objectives should be aligned with the software project goals, requirements, and risks, as well as the relevant standards and regulations. The audit scope and objectives should be documented and communicated to the audit team and the stakeholders.

2 Plan the audit activities and resources

The next step is to plan the audit activities and resources. The audit activities include selecting the audit criteria, designing the audit checklist, sampling the review artifacts, conducting the audit interviews, and collecting the audit evidence. The audit criteria are the standards and guidelines that the software reviews are expected to follow, such as the SDLC model, the review checklist, or the quality assurance plan. The audit checklist is a tool that helps the auditors to evaluate the software reviews against the audit criteria. The sample size and selection method depend on the audit scope, objectives, and resources. The audit interviews are used to gather information and feedback from the review participants and stakeholders. The audit evidence is the data and documents that support the audit findings, such as the review reports, logs, comments, or defects.

3 Analyze the audit findings and results

The third step is to analyze the audit findings and results. The audit findings are the deviations or nonconformities that the auditors identify during the audit. The audit results are the overall evaluation of the software reviews based on the audit findings. The analysis involves comparing the audit evidence with the audit criteria, identifying the root causes and impacts of the audit findings, and rating the severity and priority of the audit findings. The analysis should also consider the strengths and weaknesses of the software reviews, as well as the best practices and lessons learned. The analysis should be objective, factual, and consistent.

4 Report the audit outcomes and recommendations

The final step is to report the audit outcomes and recommendations. The audit outcomes are the summary and conclusion of the audit results, such as the compliance level, the performance indicators, or the risk assessment. The audit recommendations are the suggestions and actions that the auditors propose to address the audit findings and improve the software reviews, such as corrective, preventive, or improvement measures. The audit report should be clear, concise, and comprehensive, covering all the audit scope, objectives, activities, findings, results, outcomes, and recommendations. The audit report should be reviewed and approved by the audit team and the stakeholders, and distributed to the relevant parties.

5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?