---
title: "Stage 1: Audit Planning and Preparation"
description: "Stage 1: Audit Planning and Preparation"
image: https://blog.bcm-institute.org/hubfs/More%20Post%20Icon/Audit/IC_More_Audit_Stage1.png
---
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##### BCM Audit Series
# Stage 1: Audit Planning and Preparation
Audit especially in the area of business continuity, crisis management and disaster recovery, is a crucial part in the attempt of any organization to improve its processes, eliminate risks, get rid of unnecessary costs due to excessive planning, review the effectiveness of the response, resumption and recovery plans. This blog elaborates one of the four stages.
The four key stages to conduct a BCM Audit are as follows:
- **Stage 1: Audit Planning and Preparation**
- Stage 2: Audit Fieldwork
- Stage 3: Audit Review and Reporting
- Stage 4: Audit Follow-up
[Moh Heng Goh](https://blog.bcm-institute.org/audit/author/moh-heng-goh) May 31, 2020
###### BCMS Audit Certified Planner-Specialist-Expert
#### Stage 1: Audit Planning and Preparation
The goal of the Audit Planning and Preparation stage is to complete the following activities:
1. Audit Preparation
2. Audit Planning
#### \[1\] Audit Preparation
These are the activities to be conducted before the actual audit engagement with the Client. The preparatory work includes:
1. Conduct thorough research on the Client’s industry and its businesses.
2. Develop a sound understanding of the BCM subject matter.
3. Have a clear understanding of the relevant stakeholders for this BCM Audit.
4. ![\[BL-A-WSQ\] Stage 1 Audit Planning and Preparation](https://blog.bcm-institute.org/hs-fs/hubfs/PIC%20Audit/Edited%20Picture/%5BBL-A-WSQ%5D%20Stage%201%20Audit%20Planning%20and%20Preparation.png?width=300&name=%5BBL-A-WSQ%5D%20Stage%201%20Audit%20Planning%20and%20Preparation.png)Obtain information on the Client relating to the:
- Determine the [Minimum Business Continuity Objectives (MBCO)](https://blog.bcm-institute.org/bcm-planning-methodology/what-is-mbco-or-minimum-business-continuity-objective) of the BCM program.
- Confirm accountability of the plans
- Verify that sufficient resources are allocated to the BCM initiatives.
- Review whether the BCM program is in compliance with legislation.
- Validate that the BCM program complies with policies, standards, and guidelines.
- Understand management processes and systems.
- Review external environment affecting BCM requirement.
#### \[2\] Audit Planning
Audit Planning is the development of the overall strategy for the audit. Nature, extent, and timing of audit planning vary with the size and complexity of the organization, Auditors’ experience with the organization and knowledge of its businesses. The activities are to:
1. Conduct a preliminary fact-finding
2. Review of the preliminary assessment with management
3. Determine the audit objectives, scope, and criteria
4. Formulate an audit plan
5. Develop:
- - An audit checklist
- A standardized audit program
- An audit schedule
##### Go to other Stages of the BCM Audit Process
| | [](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/3893111/b8287215-a36c-4732-a987-fc016cbccf9b) | [](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/3893111/d3103495-3927-4de1-b9f7-4eb7f5b57f1d) | [![\[BL-A-WSQ\] Stage 3: Audit Review and Reporting](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/3893111/99e75e3c-b800-4a29-8e2c-e57209d7840c.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/3893111/99e75e3c-b800-4a29-8e2c-e57209d7840c) | [![\[BL-A-WSQ\] Stage 4: Audit Follow-up](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/3893111/37c8de53-ac6c-4c57-adf1-7f0b3ecf6834.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/3893111/37c8de53-ac6c-4c57-adf1-7f0b3ecf6834) | |
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#### Resource
Goh, M. H. (2016). **A Manager's Guide to Auditing and Reviewing Your Business Continuity Management Program**. Business Continuity Management Series (2nd ed.). Singapore: GMH Pte Ltd.
Extracted from **"Chapter 4: Stage 1: Audit Planning and Preparation"**
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