Purpose: The purpose of this essay is to apply the concepts of this course to providing a solution to a
problem using data analytics. Remember, this is an IT Audit course so the problem you choose to address
should be of an IT Audit nature (the nature of the audit can be financial, operational, and/or compliance).
This is a very open and vague essay. For this essay, you will identify an IT Audit oriented problem that is
of interest to you, propose data to collect, analyses to be performed that would help solve this problem,
identify your user/audience of interest and propose how you would communicate your analyses
General Directions:
This is an individual project.
While you can use AI for this essay, I don’t recommend it as this will need to be an application-
based essay with direct implication from your own professional perspective and application of class
concepts.
Use the QDAC Elements framework below to provide a solution to an IT Audit problem using data
analytics. Note that you can either discuss/present your problem/solution as either 1) a hypothetical
situation (i.e., what you would do), OR 2) you can solve a problem using actual data and something
like SQL/Tableau/PowerBI, etc. (if you choose this route, be mindful of any data sharing issues).
You can either write a formal essay and/or use the template below to write your answers. Your
essay should be about 2-3 pages (this does not include references – be sure to cite any references,
including the use of generative AI tools).
I’m looking for a VERY thoughtful, yet concise essay. Your problem/solution proposal should be
supported. Be concise, yet clear in your writing.
The instructions for this project are intentionally broad, vague, etc. I’m looking for your ability to
CRITICALLY THINK and to formulate an audit data analytics plan. While you can use the questions
posed in the QDAC framework to guide your essay, consider these questions in terms of typical
audit steps (i.e., determining the subject, objectives, scope, planning, risks and controls,
procedures, test steps, etc.).
QDAC Elements
Q – Questions
This is an individual project.
While you can use AI for this essay, I don’t recommend it as this will need to be an application-
based essay with direct implication from your own professional perspective and application of class
concepts.
Use the QDAC Elements framework below to provide a solution to an IT Audit problem using data
analytics. Note that you can either discuss/present your problem/solution as either 1) a hypothetical
situation (i.e., what you would do), OR 2) you can solve a problem using actual data and something
like SQL/Tableau/PowerBI, etc. (if you choose this route, be mindful of any data sharing issues).
You can either write a formal essay and/or use the template below to write your answers. Your
essay should be about 2-3 pages (this does not include references – be sure to cite any references,
including the use of generative AI tools).
I’m looking for a VERY thoughtful, yet concise essay. Your problem/solution proposal should be
supported. Be concise, yet clear in your writing.
The instructions for this project are intentionally broad, vague, etc. I’m looking for your ability to
CRITICALLY THINK and to formulate an audit data analytics plan. While you can use the questions
posed in the QDAC framework to guide your essay, consider these questions in terms of typical
audit steps (i.e., determining the subject, objectives, scope, planning, risks and controls,
procedures, test steps, etc.).
QDAC Elements
Q – Questions
Purpose: Asking the right questions that
stakeholders would be interested in.
Considerations:
What problem are you trying to solve?
For which stakeholder group(s)?
Why is this a problem?
D – Data
Purpose: Identify and obtain data, perform
ETL and confirm accuracy, understand
relationships between data elements.
Considerations:
What data do you need to obtain to
address the problem(s) identified?
Where can you get this data?
Who owns the data?
How will you verify data integrity, validity,
accuracy, etc.?
What data are you trying to determine
relationships between?
A – Analytics/analyses
Purpose: Performing analyses using Excel,
Tableau, Power BI, Python, R, etc.
Considerations:
What specific analyses will you perform to
help solve the problem(s) identified?
What challenges will you have in
performing your analyses?
C – Communication
Purpose: Communicate results by writing a
report/memo, creating a presentation and/or
visualization
Considerations:
Who is your primary audience for
communicating results?
What forms of communication will you
utilize?
What analyses will you present and why?
stakeholders would be interested in.
Considerations:
What problem are you trying to solve?
For which stakeholder group(s)?
Why is this a problem?
D – Data
Purpose: Identify and obtain data, perform
ETL and confirm accuracy, understand
relationships between data elements.
Considerations:
What data do you need to obtain to
address the problem(s) identified?
Where can you get this data?
Who owns the data?
How will you verify data integrity, validity,
accuracy, etc.?
What data are you trying to determine
relationships between?
A – Analytics/analyses
Purpose: Performing analyses using Excel,
Tableau, Power BI, Python, R, etc.
Considerations:
What specific analyses will you perform to
help solve the problem(s) identified?
What challenges will you have in
performing your analyses?
C – Communication
Purpose: Communicate results by writing a
report/memo, creating a presentation and/or
visualization
Considerations:
Who is your primary audience for
communicating results?
What forms of communication will you
utilize?
What analyses will you present and why?