Continuous Auditing in Project Management

In large scale complex projects, there is a need to constantly monitor and audit the various components and indicators of the project in order to identify and detect performance significant variances, and a result, shortcomings, errors, omissions, and possible fraud. In a paper-based traditional project management approach, project activities are typically monitored and audited infrequently and with a time lag which sometimes may be extended to weeks or even months. Auditing of project management activities with a time lag can create inefficiencies in time delays and cost overruns as appropriate interventions are not rendered immediately after the incidence or on a real time bases. In this paper we present a continuous auditing model for complex projects that require constant monitoring and exception reporting. The authors believe that Continuous Auditing Project Management Model can significantly enhance the project management team's capability to monitor project activities. In the first section of the paper, we will discuss how continuous auditing works to facilitate project management monitoring and control of project activities. The second section of the paper deals with the project management internal controls using IPMA 3 excellence model.

Keywords:

Continuous Auditing , Project Management , Internal Controls