Audit of the Integrated Improvement Initiatives (I3P) Programme

Summary

Background

In 2006, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) embarked on a number of improvement initiatives to provide the organization with the means to deliver more effectively on its regulatory mandate by modernizing and integrating its business processes. The Integrated Improvement Initiatives Programme (I3P) was an umbrella project management office providing oversight and coordination for three improvement initiatives:

• Integrated Planning and Performance Management (IPPM) Project;
• Licensing Project; and,
• Compliance Project.

A fourth initiative, the Integrated Systems Project, was designed to provide technology solutions for the other projects.

I3P was a significant change initiative for the CNSC requiring a material commitment of resources and having a far-reaching impact on the functioning of the CNSC. A key area of focus for the programme was on the development of licensing and compliance process maps consistent across all service lines. The programme was successful in completing the development and approval of these rationalized processes.

While I3P is no longer functioning as a separate programme, components of I3P have been integrated into a new major change initiative called the Harmonized Plan (HP) with the standardized licensing and compliance process maps continuing to be a key building block for HP priorities.

Objective of Audit

The objective of the project was to conduct an audit, under the Treasury Board of Canada's Policy on Internal Audit, to provide assurance to the President and Senior Management of the CNSC on the adequacy and effectiveness of the framework of governance and management controls for I3P.

The audit examined the governance structure and project management framework for the I3P, including the functioning of oversight bodies, the Program Management Office (PMO) and the individual projects under the I3P umbrella (i.e., Licensing, Compliance, Integrated Planning and Performance Management, and Integrated Systems).

The audit was performed in accordance with Internal Auditing Standards for the Government of Canada established by the Comptroller General of Canada. The audit approach included inquiries with I3P stakeholders (refer to Appendix A for details), as well as examination of relevant documentation.

Read the full audit report (PDF)