Technology audit

Angel Milev, Coordinator EEN-BulgariaApplied Reserach and Comunications Fund

Technology/Business Audit

The audit is viewed as a systematic examination of the core technology/business assets of the company and its capabilities to innovate and cooperate or do business internationally.

Type of audits

-Technology audit/business review (TA/BR) using internal expertise – the TA/BR is carried out by a member of the Consultant’s team and one or more representatives of the company with good insight to the production/business processes and problems. -During the TA/BR the technology/business problems, capacity and potential of the company are reviewed and discussed, and a report is elaborated, providing suggestions on how the company could benefit from the services of the Consultant.

Type of audits

-TA/BR using external expertise - if the technology/business problem is quite specific, external expertise might be needed to propose possible solutions. -The Consultant undertakes to find an external expert) and the TA/BR is carried out by three parties – the external expert, the company and the Consultant. -The TA/BR ends up with the elaboration of recommendations for handling the reviewed problem.

Purposes

1. To collect information on the company’s status with regards to technological level;

2. To understand in deep the company’s needs and capabilities;

3. To prepare an action plan/recommendations;

4. To offer relevant services as a follow-up.

Stages of the audit

1. Preparatory stage2. Implementation

Stage3. Follow-up

Stages of the audit

1. Preparatory stage1. Collect information about the audited client:

- website;- Internet Search: publications, articles, public databases;- Try to collect as much as possible preliminary information on

company’s needs;- Collect information in general for the branch – trends,

opportunities, specific regulation, standards, etc.- Gathering of information from partners/other clients.- Ensure that the management is involved;- Elaboration of customised questionnaire (usually template)

Stages of the audit

2. Implementation StageThorough interview of the company representative

– at least middle management representative.Get through all the information needed.Get to know all the company’s:• Processes;• Technological equipment;• IPR;• Products;• Premises;• Litter bins Remember: The audit starts from the door step!

Stages of the audit

3. Follow-up- Prepare a report and consult it with the client;- Prepare an agreement for collaboration and

commitment and sign it;- After consulting the report prepare an offer for

services/improvement: processes/technologies/practices to be changed OR to be offered;

- Depending on the conclusions:- Find an external expert;- Find a technology;- Offer a technology/process, adopted by the company.

ResultThe final stage of the Audit should include a type of commitment on the part of the company as well as on the part of the Consultant. The involvement of the company, after having followed a thorough assessment by the expert and having defined the services the company will receive from the Consultant, is an essential part in order to reach a specific agreement with partners for potential collaboration. The Consultant should explicitly inform the company about the long term relationship sought between the consulting organisation and the company. This also underlines the need for continuous communication between the company and the expert.

Thank you for your attention!

Dipl. Eng. Angel MilevCoordinator Enterprise Europe Network - BulgariaARC Fund1113 Sofia, Bulgaria5, Alexander Zhendov Str.tel:      +359 2 9733000/344fax:     +359 2 9733588Mobile: +359 887 194318angel.milev@online.bg www.enterprise-europe-network.bg