Deloitte mentorship programme

Over sixteen reports and surveys were reviewed from leading IT / IS publications to understand what industry experts were predicting as vital trends for 2009. As a result of the research a consolidated list of the top thirty trends and focus areas was created. This list was the driver for a new offering which combines the best of Deloitte’s consulting and training expertise – the Risk Advisory Mentorship Programme. The Risk Advisory Mentorship Programme showcases thirty Deloitte capabilities (based on the top 30 IT / IS findings from the research done). It is designed to help our clients adapt, develop skills and effectively handle the complex operational risk environment. The focus of the programme is to provide skills transfer through “hands-on” interactive workshops & regular contact with Deloitte Subject Matter Experts (SMEs). We have taken the findings and categorised them into relevant topics. Each topic has a number of short workshops available.

Click here to see the top 30 IT Risk Research Findings

Workshop structure
Each workshop is created, updated & delivered by the appropriate Subject Matter Expert (SME) who has both the theoretical knowledge and deep consulting experience in the field concerned. The percentage of time allocated to each workshop component is also indicated.

• Background theory (20%) - An overview on the topic including a discussion on its relevance to organisations is provided as well as a review of the possible risks in this area.
• Latest Thinking (20%) - The SME will provide an opinion piece on the topic and share an international thinking on current trends in this field.
• Deloitte Approach & Case Study (20%) – The SME will provide an overview of Deloitte & Touche’s methodology in this area and discuss “lessons learnt from the trenches” from a consulting / implementation perspective.
• “Hands-on” Workshop (40%) – The bulk of the workshop is focussed on the SME providing a high-level approach that organisations should consider to tackle the challenges in this area. A case study of a recent client project is used to demonstrate the reality of tackling the challenges potential organisations will face.
• Post Workshop access – The end of the workshop does not mean an end to the skills transfer. Each workshop delegate will be added to the SME’s mailing list to receive regular updated information on the topic. The SME’s contact details are also given out to address any questions the delegates may have after the workshop.

Why should I consider this for my team?
No organisation in today’s tough IT / IS environment is immune from the following challenges:

• Staff turnover & skills retention
• Increasing threat & compliance environment
• Budget challenges
• Tight project deadlines
• Effective utilisation of the training & development budget
• Using outside consulting expertise even though it may be considered expensive

Any IT, Information Security and Operational Risk Management professionals that grapple with the above issues will benefit from this programme. Certain companies have even expressed an interest in having business executives attend certain sessions to gain a perspective of risk management. Others even wish to utilise the appropriate Deloitte SME to run workshops with them and review their project plans before their organisation embarks on the project. The applications are endless.

How is this different from training?
We like to think of RAMP (Risk Advisory Mentorship Programme) as an interactive workshop combining the correct balance of both training and consulting. The workshops have been structured in such a way to ensure the learner obtains the necessary theory, consulting perspective & where applicable tools / templates required to implement their newly gained knowledge once back in their own organisation. They will furthermore have access to their Subject Matter Experts (SME) after the workshop to clarify any points that may be unclear.

What are Deloitte’s qualifications in this space?
Deloitte’s Risk Advisory business unit has over 300 qualified experts in the South African practice and many thousands internationally. In addition Deloitte:

• Was voted the top IT Risk & Information Security consultancy in 2009 by Forrester
• Were again ranked the top 2009 risk consulting firm against fourteen large competitors by Kennedy Information
• Are regular speakers in this field at local and international conferences
• Conduct detailed industry risk surveys and produce a variety of industry reports
• Regularly interact with leading international & local research organisations on risk management standards

Are considered strategic partners to the majority of large to medium enterprises on the continent and across the globe today