Interesting follow-ups with the INTOSAI Development Initiative (IDI) regarding methodologies for conducting a capacity building needs assessment. They have developed their own tool which was published last year and is available in hard copy for INTOSAI member bodies.
The methodology for conducting the Capacity Needs Assessment can be used by individual SAIs to enable them to identify areas of an SAI’s operations that need to be strengthened, and the reasons for those gaps. The Assessment also provides the basis for designing appropriate interventions to address the gaps through a Strategic Development Plan (SDP). At its core the toolkit focuses on benchmarking activities to seven domains aligned, where ever possible to INTOSAI standards (cross referenced for each domain). The 7 domains cover
(1) Independence and legal framework,
(2) human resources,
(3) Audit methodology and standards,
(4) leadership and internal governance,
(5) administrative support,
(6) external stakeholder relations and
(7) Results (service delivery).
Having spent a little time reviewing the model it appears to have a lot going for it and seems to offer the most comprehensive and generic model for conducting a capacity needs assessment as a lead in to the development of an SDP.