Transform Your Findings Into Organizational Change 

Every internal auditor can identify what went wrong. But the auditors who truly drive organizational excellence understand why it happened—and more importantly, how to prevent it from happening again. 

This comprehensive course transforms your internal audit findings from simple observations into powerful catalysts for meaningful organizational change. You'll move beyond surface-level reporting to uncover the systemic issues that truly matter to your stakeholders. 

What You'll Master

Beginning with a solid grounding in root cause fundamentals, this programme takes you on a journey from basic concepts to advanced analytical techniques. You'll explore the critical distinctions between immediate, contributing, and root causes, setting the foundation for sophisticated analysis that delivers real value. 

Core Techniques and Applications

Through hands-on exercises and real-world examples, you'll develop expertise in: 

• Essential Root Cause Methodologies 

Understand the complete toolkit including Fault Tree Analysis, Three-Way 5 Whys, and Fishbone Diagrams, understanding when and how to deploy each technique for maximum impact 

• Where the BowTie diagram fits in

Learn to visualize and communicate complex risk scenarios, showing both preventive and detective controls in a format that resonates with senior stakeholders 

• Systems Thinking Approach 

Develop the ability to see beyond isolated causes, identifying interconnected factors that create recurring issues.

• Deep-Dive Fishbone Mastery 

Move beyond basic cause-and-effect diagrams to apply sophisticated fishbone analysis across diverse internal audit scenarios, from operational failures to compliance breakdowns 

• AI-Enhanced Analysis 

Discover practical applications where artificial intelligence can accelerate your root cause investigations while improving the quality and consistency of your findings 

Strategic Implementation 

Transform your entire audit methodology by embedding sophisticated root cause analysis throughout your practice: 

• Design GIAS-Aligned Work Programmes 

Create robust audit programs that fully integrate the latest Global Internal Audit Standards requirements, ensuring compliance while maximizing effectiveness 

• Connect Causes to Industry Excellence 

Develop frameworks that link identified root causes to best practices/process maturity, providing context that drives action 

• Master Thematic Analysis 

Apply best practice causal categories to identify patterns and trends across multiple audits, revealing enterprise-wide issues that individual audits might miss 

• Enhance GRC Integration 

Learn strategies to strengthen Governance, Risk, and Compliance frameworks through systematic root cause identification and remediation tracking 

Who Should Attend

This advanced course is designed for internal audit professionals ready to elevate their analytical capabilities and organizational impact: 

• Experienced Auditors seeking to move beyond surface-level observations and deliver deeper insights 

• Audit Managers responsible for driving meaningful organizational change through systemic issue identification 

• Senior Audit Professionals working to align their practice with the latest professional standards 

• Internal Audit Teams looking to enhance their value proposition and strengthen stakeholder relationships 

Participants should have foundational internal audit experience and be prepared to engage with complex analytical concepts and their practical application. 

Your Learning Experience

This isn't just theoretical knowledge—it's a practical roadmap. Through a combination of interactive workshops, real-world case studies, and collaborative problem-solving, you'll: 

• Practice key techniques on scenarios drawn from actual audit situations 

• Receive personalized feedback

• Understand the templates and frameworks ready for immediate implementation 

• Network with peers facing similar analytical challenges 

Your Investment in Excellence 

Root cause analysis isn't just another audit technique—it's the difference between auditors who report problems and those who solve them. This course combines James C Paterson's extensive experience as author of “Beyond the Five whys” book with cutting-edge methodologies to help you deliver audit results that truly matter. 

Join us to ensure your audit findings don't just identify what went wrong, but illuminate the path to organizational excellence through systematic understanding and prevention of underlying issue