Case Study:

Standardizing Onboarding

Challenge

The client’s five audit teams were staffed by highly skilled SMEs, but their practices varied widely. Some auditors struggled to interpret requirements, while others had difficulty collaborating with auditees. The lack of alignment caused inconsistent scoring, unnecessary disputes, and friction across teams. The client needed a standardized onboarding program to:

• Establish a common approach to audits.

• Clarify requirements and expectations.

• Provide practice with complex, “hard-to-grade” scenarios before going into the field.

Results

The standardized onboarding program delivered clear, measurable improvements:

• Aligned Practices: Audit results became consistent across all five teams, reducing disputes and rework.

• Stronger Communication: Auditees reported clearer explanations and smoother interactions.

• Faster Ramp-Up: New auditors reached full productivity sooner and entered the field with greater confidence.

• Leadership Confidence: Fewer escalations and reliable audit outcomes strengthened leadership’s trust in the process and its long-term sustainability.

Solution

We applied a research-backed evaluation strategy: formative evaluation guided the design process, and summative evaluation confirmed the impact after launch.

Formative Evaluation (Before and During Design)

• Reviewed audit procedures, reports, and live observations to pinpoint misalignment.

• Defined what “successful” audits looked like, focusing on scoring and professional communication.

• Designed a standardized onboarding curriculum with process training, requirement reviews, and scenario-based practice.

• Pilot-tested with a small group, using feedback to refine pacing, clarity, and consistency across teams.

Summative Evaluation (After Launch)

• Measured audit scoring consistency across teams.

• Collected auditor and auditee feedback on communication and confidence.

• Analyzed reports to verify alignment and reduced disputes.