INTOSAI Task Force on Strategic Planning
 

  Formation

In September 2019, the 72nd International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI) Governing Board re-established the INTOSAI Task Force on Strategic Planning (TFSP). The TFSP intends to ensure that INTOSAI continues to evolve as a dynamic and inclusive organization where our mutual experiences benefit us all. The Task Force will gather input to develop the next strategic plan, ensure continuity of the INTOSAI Strategic Plan for 2023-2028, and establish a means for sound monitoring of the plan’s implementation.

The TFSP is chaired by the United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) and composed of the Secretary General; Goal Chairs and Vice-Chairs; Policy, Finance and Administration Committee members; INTOSAI and Regional Organization Chairs and Secretariats; INTOSAI Development Initiative (IDI); INTOSAI Journal; and the Forum of INTOSAI Professional Pronouncements (FIPP) Chair and Vice-Chair.

  Launch

INTOSAI leaders representing 21 Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs) gathered for the inaugural meeting via teleconference in February 2020. The Task Force discussed plans for the strategic planning process and opportunities to provide insight into global challenges and trends, best practices in gathering INTOSAI member input, and recommendations for creating task force operational efficiencies.

  Approach and Participation

The Task Force is committed to a strategic planning process that is open and inclusive and fully considers all points of view. A vital part of this process is to make sure that all INTOSAI members have an opportunity to provide input and review and comment on the strategic plan as it is being developed. The Task Force launched a disciplined internal and external scanning effort to capture and understand the evolving role of INTOSAI as a key participant in global governance issues and as a standard setting body for external auditing.

  Internal scan

The TFSP administered a web-based survey to all INTOSAI members between September 2020 and January 2021. The survey focused on identifying INTOSAI’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and challenges to help INTOSAI address the needs of all members. The survey also asked members about INTOSAI’s strategic goals and initiatives, oriented toward the 2023-2028 Strategic Plan. In total, the TFSP received 116 completed surveys (or 58 percent of the 201 surveys administered), representing member input from each of INTOSAI’s seven regional organizations.

  External scan

In addition to the internal scan, the Task Force also solicited input from a range of external partners to understand INTOSAI’s relationships with other international organizations and to ensure that the Task Force fully understands the broader global governance landscape within which SAIs and INTOSAI must operate. These external partners included donor organizations and associate members and organizations involved in accountancy, government accountability, transparency, anti-corruption, and promotion of civil society. The Task Force also solicited input from fellows within GAO’s Center for Strategic Foresight, who possess expertise in foresight and futures thinking with backgrounds that span the public sector, the private sector, non-governmental organizations, academia, and international organizations.

  Next Steps

The Task Force plans to use the results from the internal and external scans to frame the 2023–2028 draft strategic plan. All INTOSAI members, the PFAC, and the Governing Board will have many opportunities to review and comment on the eventual draft strategic plan. The Task Force plans to circulate a final draft plan for all members’ review and comments in 2022, in time to deliver a consensus strategic plan for approval at the 2022 Congress.