How do you communicate and report your audit and evaluation findings and recommendations to the stakeholders?

2 Choose your method

The second step in communicating and reporting your audit and evaluation findings and recommendations is to choose your method. Depending on the scope, complexity, and urgency of your audit and evaluation, you may use different methods to communicate and report your results, such as oral presentations, written reports, dashboards, infographics, or webinars. You should consider the advantages and disadvantages of each method, as well as the availability and accessibility of your audience. For example, oral presentations may allow for more interaction and feedback, but they may also require more preparation and coordination. Written reports may provide more details and evidence, but they may also be more time-consuming and less engaging. Dashboards may offer more visual and dynamic data, but they may also be more technical and less comprehensive.

4 Focus on the value

The fourth step in communicating and reporting your audit and evaluation findings and recommendations is to focus on the value. Your communication and reporting should not only describe what you did and what you found, but also explain why it matters and what it means for the stakeholders. You should emphasize the benefits, impacts, and outcomes of your audit and evaluation, as well as the opportunities, challenges, and risks involved. You should also provide actionable and realistic recommendations that address the root causes of the issues, the gaps in the performance, and the areas for improvement. You should also acknowledge the limitations, assumptions, and uncertainties of your audit and evaluation, and suggest ways to overcome them.

5 Seek feedback

The fifth step in communicating and reporting your audit and evaluation findings and recommendations is to seek feedback. Feedback can help you improve the quality, relevance, and usefulness of your communication and reporting, as well as the credibility, transparency, and accountability of your audit and evaluation. You should seek feedback from various sources, such as your peers, your supervisors, your clients, your contractors, and your regulators. You should also seek feedback at different stages, such as before, during, and after your communication and reporting. You should use different methods to collect feedback, such as surveys, interviews, focus groups, or online platforms.

6 Follow up

The sixth step in communicating and reporting your audit and evaluation findings and recommendations is to follow up. Follow up can help you ensure that your communication and reporting have achieved their intended purposes, that your recommendations have been implemented or considered, and that your audit and evaluation have contributed to the improvement of the contract management process and performance. You should follow up with your stakeholders regularly, monitor the progress and outcomes of your recommendations, report on the results and impacts of your audit and evaluation, and identify any new or emerging issues or opportunities for further audits or evaluations.