Course Information
Project Management for Audit Professionals: Prioritizing, Planning, and Communicating with Impact
Parking for SAO, Professional Development courses is in Garage B (1511 San Jacinto Blvd.). The Garage signage may read 1511 San Jacinto or Garage B. The elevator in Garage B is not reliable. If you are unable to walk the stairs, please contact the professionaldevelopment@sao.texas.gov for alternate parking arrangements. Handicapped parking is free at the meters around the downtown area.
A course coordinator will email you a parking permit prior to the course start date. A permit must be displayed or you will be ticketed.
Course Description
This in-person interactive course introduces project management techniques tailored for audit professionals. Participants will learn how to structure audits into manageable phases, prioritize key activities, and improve communication with audit team members and stakeholders. Through real-world examples and practical tools, this session provides a simple yet effective framework to bring clarity, coordination, and momentum to audit work. Attendees will leave with ready-to-use strategies that enhance both individual productivity and team performance during audit engagements.
Course Objectives
Objectives:
- Break down audit engagements into clearly defined phases and milestones
- Apply project planning techniques to structure and sequence audit tasks
- Identify and manage key deliverables and deadlines throughout an audit cycle
- Use simple tools to provide clear, consistent status updates to stakeholders
- Improve communication across audit teams using structured approaches
- Recognize common project risks and apply techniques to manage delays
Outline:
Module 1: Understanding the Role of Project Management in Audits
- What makes an audit a project
- Common project management gaps in audit work
- Benefits of applying project techniques to audits
Module 2: Structuring Audit Work Using the Four Phases
- Initiate: Define objectives and identify stakeholders
- Plan: Create a milestone-based roadmap for the audit
- Execute: Track progress and adjust activities as needed
- Report: Deliver findings and finalize outcomes
Module 3: Prioritizing Tasks and Managing Timelines
- Breaking work into tasks and deliverables
- Assigning responsibilities and estimating time
- Identifying potential delays and risks
Module 4: Communicating Clearly and Consistently
- Setting expectations through kickoff meetings
- Using structured status updates
- Communicating with agency leaders and audit sponsors
Module 5: Applying the Framework to Real Audit Scenarios
- Walkthrough of a sample audit (e.g., procurement audit)
- Hands-on activity: Build a simple audit project plan
- Tools provided: Planning worksheet, milestone tracker, update format
Prerequisites
Prerequisite not required.
Instructors
Wendy Smith is a seasoned Project Management Consultant, Trainer, and Speaker with over 20 years of experience helping organizations streamline initiatives, enhance collaboration, and drive measurable business outcomes.
As the founder of The Soomitz Group, Wendy specializes in equipping lean teams with practical, results-driven project management techniques that improve visibility, accelerate decision-making, and empower professionals at all levels.
She has worked across a variety of industries, including Healthcare, Wellness, Automotive, and Transportation, guiding teams to stay organized, meet deadlines, and achieve their goals with greater efficiency.
Wendy is passionate about making project management accessible, engaging, and easy to apply, regardless of background or role. She thrives on helping professionals recognize the project management skills they already use in daily life, while unlocking new strategies to strengthen execution and improve outcomes.
Wendy holds the following certifications: PMP, PMI-ACP and CSPO
Additional Information
TAC Rule 523.142(g) requires the CPE Sponsor to monitor individual attendance and assign the correct number of CPE credits. Participants will be asked to document their time of arrival and departure in compliance with this Rule. Additionally, attendance will be monitored throughout the day and CPE certificates will reflect actual attendance of each participant.
If you are making travel plans to come to Austin, we recommend making "refundable" air and hotel reservations or waiting until 14 days before the class to actually book your reservations. Courses are occasionally canceled or rescheduled due to low enrollment. We determine whether a course has enough participants 16 days prior to the course date. If we cancel or reschedule, we will email the participant and his or her billing contact no later than 14 days before the original class date.
To see answers to our Frequently Asked Questions, visit Texas State Auditor's Office - Professional Development FAQs