Presented by Steve Bentley MD of SAS www.sassofia.com
There are 2 distinct elements to the role of the Procedures that we place in the Maintenance Organisation Exposition (MOE):
The first is to “showcase” to the regulatory authority how we do “something”.
The second which is quite important is to “self identify” how we deliver our essential procedures.
When we examine what we are doing in a way which engages with the process to understand our opportunities it is called Performance Auditing.
Performance auditing focuses on the three “E”s–economy, efficiency and effectiveness…But really a performance audit is an audit of management’s performance.”
Performance Audits look in a systematic way at all elements of the process or procedures to “test” the effectiveness of the process and to measure the performance against a cost “A value” by which we may determine if we are getting a good return on our investment.
What it is NOT about is understanding if the process is regulatory compliant (this in actual fact is a given and is not the purpose of the Performance Audit).
Nor is it intended to “tell” the business owner what to do! Rather it is designed to understand and present opportunities to Managers and Post Holders so that they may use the information as an opportunity to embrace change.
The performance audits essentially look at ways we can bring efficiency to the process to identify ways we can work in a better way at the same time to drive a cost reduction in the process
By engaging in a thorough, top-to-bottom review and analysis of all elements of the process, asking the questions:
a) What are we doing?
b) Why are we doing it?
c) Do we have to do it? (An obvious question but it is important to visit this area)
d) How do we measure the value / cost of what we are doing?
e) How can we improve what we are doing?
Performance audits measure effectiveness, economy, efficiency and waste, they create the potential opportunity to recommend appropriate changes. Performance audits uncover waste and fraud. Ultimately they change the way government works.
We should look at every opportunity to drive efficiency and where possible to introduce economies.
Some of the questions a performance auditor might answer are:
What is the mission of the activity? Is it still needed?
Is management achieving its mission?
Whenever we start to look at our process and procedures we should consider as a starting point as the Metrics by which we can measure the effectiveness of the current process or procedure.
This then leads us to consider if it can it be more effective in achieving its objective?
Performance audits are intended to uncover opportunities and to make sound, workable recommendations to essentially work in a better way.
Consider the primary advantage of the Performance Audit
There are no boundaries or preconceptions during a Performance Audit. Unencumbered by existing procedures, potential system limitations and “how we have always done it” attitudes, the performance auditor is able to focus in a more receptive way to ideas about how to do things better.
In addition the Performance Auditor has the advantage of being able to easily cross existing organizational barriers, both vertically and horizontally.
Sofema Aviation Services offers Regulatory and Vocation Training with more than 250 courses to choose from for details please see www.sassofia.com or email: office@sassofia.com
