Internal audit
Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA, the agency) internal audit is an independent, objective assurance and consulting function designed to add value and improve the agency's operations. It helps the CFIA accomplish its objectives by bringing a systematic, disciplined approach to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of risk management, control, and governance processes.
Internal audit engagements are authorized as part of the CFIA's risk-based audit plan, which is updated at least annually for approval by the President. Internal audits are carried out in accordance with the Treasury Board Policy on Internal Audit and the Institute of Internal Auditors' International Professional Practices Framework. Final internal audit reports are approved by the President on the advice of the CFIA audit committee.
Overview
The Treasury Board Secretariat (TBS) Directive on the Management of Projects and Programmes sets the expectations for managing projects within Government of Canada departments and agencies. The CFIA has an established project management process, as defined in the enterprise management framework (ePMF). At CFIA, the enterprise project management office (ePMO) is responsible for providing the ePMF, tools and templates for management of projects.
The audit objective was to determine if the CFIA is applying effective project management practices and has a framework that supports successful project outcomes in accordance with Government of Canada policies and directives. The audit scope period was from January 2021 to July 2022.
Key findings
The audit concluded that, overall, processes and procedures are in place to support project management at CFIA. However, key improvements are required to ensure the process is efficient to support successful project outcomes in the following areas: challenge function and course correction on projects, alignment of the agency's ePMF with the TBS Directive on the Management of Projects and Programmes, and project adherence to the documented ePMF process.