Training Courses

PLC100: Successful Application Design: Auditing the Process Development Life Cycle

CPE credits: 7

Description: Managing software projects is difficult under the best circumstances. You can reduce the difficulty and improve your organization's chances of success by applying known industry best practices for software project management. The process development life cycle (PDLC) is a common methodology for systems development in many organizations. This methodology features distinctive phases, each of which records the progress of the systems analysis and design project. The potential for abuse, inefficiencies, and the potential to deliver application systems, which do not meet the needs of the end-user, warrants the involvement of IT and user management as well as the audit function in most all software development efforts.

This seminar will examine the basic elements of the PDLC process, and how the process of designing new systems has (and continues to) evolve. Attendees will also discuss strategic system design methodologies, and how the auditor can be an effective change agent within this process.

Audience: This seminar is intended for internal and external audit professionals, project managers and project leaders who wish to learn better ways to plan and manage their software development projects, Controllers and their management who have responsibility for funding new application development, application end users charged with project team responsibilities, and anyone interested in obtaining a better understanding of and general introduction to auditing and controlling application development.

Prerequisites: There is no prerequisite for this seminar.

Objectives: After completing this seminar, participants will be able to:

Interpret the requirements for PDLC application development from a base of confidence and understanding
Confidently advise management on specific controls necessary for successful application development
Find managing application development projects easier
Discuss with both end users and management, how successful systems are developed and maintained
Lay the foundation for successful application development projects, which includes planning the project, estimating the work, and tracking progress
Discuss the Capability Maturity Model (CMM) as a model of management practices for improving the quality of software
Recognize that one of the goals of the PDLC approach is total quality assurance through process-related improvements throughout an entire organization

Course Outline:

System Design Horror Stories

Why Projects Fail or Go Wrong

Traditional Systems Development Process

Advantages
Limitations

Phases for Successful Project Implementation

What Existing Standards Does Your Organization Utilize?

Guidelines for Application Development

Formal Development Methodology

Examining the Capability Maturity Model

New Approaches to Systems Development

Critical Issues Facing Applications Development

Risk Analysis: Systems Development Projects

Strategy for Application Development

Steps to Improving Applications Development

Auditor’s Role in Systems Development

Auditors as Change Agents

Dr. Marcella's seminar is based on findings from his book, Process Development Life Cycle: An Audit Survival Guide, published by the Institute of Internal Auditors.

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