The basic steps of a thorough audit are the following:

• Determine scope

• Develop thorough, legally accurate audit questionnaires designed to target key legal issues

• Collect the data

• Benchmark the findings (to assess reasonableness of potential solutions)

• Report results to key leaders

• Create action plan based on the organizational priorities, budget constraints, etc.

• Assign responsibilities

• Execute and implement

• Measure results

• Refine the process based on measured results

• Repeat the process