This part of the report sets out the core elements which should make up a system of assurance and their objectives and guiding principles. Without these elements there is a risk to delivering value for money. Figure 2 shows the four core elements of the assurance system. We define the boundaries of the elements as:
Plan: from consideration of the assurance needs of the portfolio to the point at which a review team is commissioned to perform a review
Do: from the point at which the assurance team is commissioned to perform a review to the production of a report
Report: from the point at which an assurance report is produced to the communication of analysed findings to different stakeholders
Control: from the point at which analysed findings are received to the escalation of issues for decision making or remedial action
Successful implementation of the elements should enable the following benefits to be achieved.