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This comprehensive course is designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively audit IT project governance and system development processes. It begins with an overview of project governance and management, emphasizing the roles and responsibilities of key stakeholders, including project sponsors and the Project Management Office (PMO). You will gain a solid understanding of project initiation, planning, and execution phases, learning how to differentiate between auditing project content and project execution. Special focus is given to the project management methodologies, such as Agile and Predictive approaches, and the essential procedures for closing projects, ensuring you are well-versed in each phase of the project lifecycle.

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This comprehensive course is designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively audit IT project governance and system development processes. It begins with an overview of project governance and management, emphasizing the roles and responsibilities of key stakeholders, including project sponsors and the Project Management Office (PMO). You will gain a solid understanding of project initiation, planning, and execution phases, learning how to differentiate between auditing project content and project execution. Special focus is given to the project management methodologies, such as Agile and Predictive approaches, and the essential procedures for closing projects, ensuring you are well-versed in each phase of the project lifecycle.

The course then transitions to system development and risk management, where you will explore various system development lifecycle (SDLC) models and their associated risks. You will learn how to assess these risks and understand different software development methods, including the use of Computer Aided Software Engineering (CASE) tools and fourth-generation languages (4GLs). Key topics such as business case development, feasibility analysis, and the identification and design of effective data controls are thoroughly covered, preparing you to evaluate system and software development from an IS auditor's perspective.

In the final modules, the focus shifts to testing methodologies, data integrity, and change management. You will delve into decision support systems, testing plans, and methodologies to ensure data integrity and accuracy in application systems. The course also covers data migration processes, changeover techniques, and post-implementation reviews (PIR). By the end of the course, you will have a robust understanding of how to audit complex IT projects and system development processes, positioning you for success in the CISA exam and your professional career.

This course is ideal for IT auditors, project managers, and professionals preparing for the CISA certification. It is recommended for individuals with a foundational understanding of information systems and project management. No prior CISA experience is required, but familiarity with IT governance and audit principles will be beneficial.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Change Management and Post-Implementation
Project Governance and Management
In this module, we will cover the fundamentals of project governance and management, focusing on the roles involved in IT projects and the importance of project sponsorship. You'll learn about the functions of the Project Management Office (PMO) and explore the project lifecycle, including initiation, planning, execution, and closure. We will also discuss the IS auditor’s role in auditing both project content and execution.
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Provides a robust understanding of auditing complex IT projects and system development processes, which is directly applicable to the CISA exam and related professional careers
Explores project management methodologies like Agile and Predictive approaches, which are essential for professionals in project-driven environments and those seeking CISA certification
Covers change management strategies and post-implementation reviews, which are critical for ensuring new systems meet organizational requirements and function as intended after deployment
Examines the use of Computer Aided Software Engineering (CASE) tools and fourth-generation languages (4GLs) in auditing, which may require learners to familiarize themselves with legacy systems
Requires a foundational understanding of information systems and project management, which may necessitate additional preparation for individuals new to these fields

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Reviews summary

Cisa systems audit preparation overview

According to learners, this course provides a useful overview of systems acquisition, development, and implementation processes, making it particularly helpful for those preparing for the CISA exam. Students found the explanations clear and the content well-structured across topics like SDLC models, risk management, and testing methodologies. While it offers a solid theoretical foundation, some reviewers noted it may lack depth for experienced professionals or require supplementary resources for practical application.
Focuses on concepts; less on hands-on practice.
"The course is strong on theoretical concepts but less so on real-world application."
"I got the framework, but practical implementation examples were limited."
"It's good for understanding 'what' but you'll need to supplement for 'how'."
Covers key areas like SDLC, testing, and change mgmt.
"The course provides a good overview of project governance, SDLC, and testing methods."
"I appreciated the coverage of different system development lifecycle models."
"It touches upon important concepts like data integrity and change management processes."
Offers a solid starting point for beginners.
"This is a great starting point if you're new to the concepts of IT systems auditing."
"I gained a solid foundation on how to approach system acquisition audits."
"It provides the necessary baseline knowledge before diving deeper."
Useful for CISA exam domain 3 preparation.
"This course helped me cover the CISA Domain 3 material effectively for my studies."
"Found the topics directly relevant to the CISA certification requirements."
"It gives a good foundational understanding needed for the CISA exam."
May be too basic for experienced professionals.
"As someone with years in IT projects, I found some sections quite basic."
"It gives a good overview but doesn't delve into advanced techniques or scenarios."
"Could use more detailed examples or case studies for practical application."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Systems Acquisition, Development and Implementation with these activities:
Review Project Management Methodologies
Strengthen your understanding of different project management methodologies to better assess their impact on IT project governance and auditing.
Browse courses on Agile Project Management
Show steps
  • Research Agile and Predictive methodologies.
  • Compare and contrast their strengths and weaknesses.
  • Identify scenarios where each methodology is most appropriate.
Study 'CISA Review Manual'
Prepare for the CISA exam by studying the official review manual, which covers all key areas of IT project governance and system development.
Show steps
  • Read each chapter of the CISA Review Manual.
  • Complete the practice questions at the end of each chapter.
  • Review areas where you need more understanding.
Read 'The Phoenix Project'
Gain practical insights into IT project management and system implementation through a fictional narrative that highlights common challenges and solutions.
Show steps
  • Read the book, focusing on the IT challenges presented.
  • Identify the DevOps principles applied in the story.
  • Reflect on how these principles can improve project outcomes.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Create a Risk Assessment Template
Develop a comprehensive risk assessment template to identify and mitigate potential risks in system development projects.
Show steps
  • Research common risks in SDLC models.
  • Design a template with risk categories and impact levels.
  • Include mitigation strategies for each risk.
  • Test the template on a hypothetical project.
Participate in a CISA Study Group
Join a study group to discuss course concepts, share insights, and prepare for the CISA exam collaboratively.
Show steps
  • Attend regular study sessions.
  • Find or create a CISA study group.
  • Discuss course materials and practice questions.
Develop a Presentation on Change Management
Create a presentation that explains change management strategies and their importance in system implementation.
Show steps
  • Research change management models and techniques.
  • Design a presentation with key concepts and examples.
  • Practice delivering the presentation to peers.
Design a Post-Implementation Review Checklist
Create a checklist to guide post-implementation reviews, ensuring that new systems meet organizational requirements and function as intended.
Show steps
  • Research best practices for post-implementation reviews.
  • Design a checklist with key review areas and questions.
  • Include sections for operational controls and performance metrics.

Career center

Learners who complete Systems Acquisition, Development and Implementation will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Information Systems Auditor
An Information Systems Auditor is responsible for evaluating an organization's information technology infrastructure and systems. This role involves assessing IT project governance and system development processes, aligning perfectly with the curriculum of this course. The course’s modules on project governance, risk management, and testing methodologies provide a strong foundation for an Information Systems Auditor to understand how to audit complex IT projects effectively. The course's comprehensive coverage of the system development lifecycle, including SDLC models and risk assessment, is immediately relevant and crucial for ensuring compliance and security in IT systems.
Data Integrity Specialist
A Data Integrity Specialist is responsible for maintaining the accuracy and reliability of an organization's data. This course is suitable because it covers testing methodologies and how they apply to data integrity. With a focus on assessment of application systems for data integrity, the course explores testing plans plus methodologies. The course also discusses data migration processes, which are especially relevant. The content of this course provides a strong foundation for a Data Integrity Specialist to understand how to protect and maintain data within an organization's system.
Internal Auditor
An Internal Auditor evaluates an organization’s internal controls, risk management, and governance processes. This course provides relevant training for an Internal Auditor by covering multiple phases of the system development lifecycle and risk assessment. It also offers an understanding of project governance and management. Internal Auditors can use the information on testing, data integrity, and change management from this course to ensure that IT systems are secure and reliable, especially from a risk perspective.
Project Manager
A Project Manager oversees the planning, execution, and closure of various projects. This course helps those wanting to become a Project Manager because it covers project governance and management, which are crucial for success in the role. The course emphasizes the roles of key stakeholders, project lifecycle phases, and project management methodologies. The course's focus on closing projects is especially beneficial, as it teaches essential procedures for ensuring projects are completed efficiently and effectively, and with a focus on how an auditor would evaluate the closing processes.
Data Migration Specialist
A Data Migration Specialist is responsible for securely transferring data between systems. This course directly addresses key aspects of this role by covering data migration processes and changeover techniques. The course also discusses post-implementation reviews and ways in which data integrity can be managed. The course's content can lead to becoming a Data Migration Specialist well-versed in system and data management, especially from an auditing perspective.
Change Management Specialist
A Change Management Specialist focuses on helping organizations manage the transition during significant changes. This course directly addresses this role by having an entire module dedicated to change management strategies, including changeover techniques. Also included are post-implementation procedures, including post-implementation reviews. The approach within the course, which is related to auditing, provides a further lens on how a Change Management Specialist can approach their role. This course may help provide a solid foundation for the role and to make sure changes are made smoothly and effectively.
IT Governance Analyst
An IT Governance Analyst ensures that an organization’s IT practices adhere to regulatory and internal standards. This course may be useful for this role since it provides detailed knowledge of project governance, IT risk management, and auditing techniques. The course emphasizes essential procedures for system development, change management, and post-implementation reviews, which contribute to a well-governed IT environment. The course's detailed coverage of SDLC models, risk assessment, and control design can directly inform the work of an IT Governance Analyst in establishing strong IT governance practices.
System Development Analyst
A System Development Analyst is involved in the analysis, design, and development of information systems. This role could be enhanced by this course, as it provides an in-depth understanding of system development lifecycle models and associated risks. By exploring software development methods, including CASE tools and fourth generation languages, and by covering business case development and feasibility analysis, the course provides a more comprehensive view of the development process. Given this course's focus on system development, it may help System Development Analysts develop a deeper understanding of system development from a risk and controls perspective and apply that to their work.
Risk Analyst
A Risk Analyst identifies and assesses potential risks to an organization's operations. This course may be useful to a Risk Analyst, as it covers risk management within the context of system development. The course explores various system development lifecycle models and their associated risks, emphasizing the importance of control design to mitigate these risks. The course also offers skills in feasibility analyses, which are useful for risk assessment. This course can help a risk analyst understand risks as they apply to software systems and the system development process.
Process Improvement Analyst
A Process Improvement Analyst focuses on streamlining and enhancing organizational processes. The course's emphasis on IT project governance, system development, and risk management may be helpful as it provides a framework for assessing current processes. The course also provides training in best practices for risk mitigation and change management, which are useful in evaluating and revising workflows. The principles of data integrity and testing can help a Process Improvement Analyst ensure that new processes are reliable and effective. This course can help a Process Improvement Analyst understand how different IT systems interact and improve existing processes related to those systems.
Compliance Officer
A Compliance Officer ensures that an organization adheres to relevant laws, regulations, and internal policies. While this role is broad, this course may be useful for those who want to specialize in IT compliance. The course's curriculum on project governance, system development, and risk management can help the Compliance Officer understand how to audit IT projects and systems. The course's emphasis on data integrity and change management enhances their ability to create a framework for compliance in IT operations.
Business Analyst
A Business Analyst bridges the gap between business needs and IT solutions. The course provides exposure to essential elements for a Business Analyst, such as system development lifecycle models, business case development, and feasibility analysis. The course’s content helps a Business Analyst understand how to evaluate system and software development, especially from an auditor's perspective. The course’s content on data migration and change management can also provide more context for a Business Analyst working on system changes.
Software Quality Assurance Analyst
A Software Quality Assurance Analyst is responsible for testing software to ensure it meets quality standards. The course may be useful for this role as it provides insights into testing methodologies and data integrity. The course also covers decision support systems and data migration, which are relevant to the quality of software systems. The testing plan information from the course can help a Software Quality Assurance Analyst create more comprehensive tests. This course can help a Software Quality Assurance Analyst think more like an auditor.
IT Consultant
An IT Consultant provides expert advice on how to best use technology to meet business objectives. This course may be useful because it provides a complete picture of IT project governance and system development, which is essential for an IT Consultant. The course offers skills in project management, system development, and risk management. The course's modules on change management and post-implementation reviews can help an IT consultant provide better advice on ensuring successful system deployments. An IT Consultant needs a broad view of IT systems which is what this course provides.
Information Technology Manager
An Information Technology Manager oversees an organization's information technology infrastructure. The course's broad overview of IT project governance and system development may be useful for those looking to enter this role. The course provides knowledge of risk management, data integrity, and change management, all of which are crucial for the management of technology and complex IT projects. The course's emphasis on system development can help an Information Technology Manager understand how to implement and maintain robust IT systems.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Systems Acquisition, Development and Implementation.
This manual is the official study guide for the CISA certification exam. It covers all domains of the CISA exam, including IT project governance, system development, and risk management. useful reference tool and is commonly used by professionals preparing for the CISA exam. It adds more depth and breadth to the existing course.
This novel illustrates the challenges of IT project management and system implementation through a compelling story. It provides practical insights into applying DevOps principles to improve project outcomes. Reading this book will help you understand the human side of IT projects and the importance of effective communication and collaboration. It is valuable as additional reading to complement the course material.

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