What Does an AI Readiness Audit Include? Scope, Process, and Outcomes
Executive Summary
- An AI readiness audit is a structured evaluation of your organization's preparedness for AI adoption
- A typical audit covers five dimensions: data, technology, people, governance, and strategy
- The process includes interviews, document review, technical assessment, and gap analysis
- Outputs include a readiness score, gap analysis, prioritized recommendations, and an implementation roadmap
- Audits typically take 2-6 weeks depending on scope and organizational complexity
- Investment ranges from self-assessment (free) to comprehensive external audits ($15,000-$100,000)
- The right choice depends on your organization's size, complexity, and internal expertise
Why This Matters Now
Many organizations want to adopt AI but are uncertain about their starting point. They ask questions like:
- "Are we ready for AI?"
- "Where should we start?"
- "What gaps do we need to address first?"
An AI readiness audit provides structured answers to these questions. It replaces guesswork with evidence and enables confident decision-making about AI investments.
What an AI Readiness Audit Covers
A comprehensive AI readiness audit evaluates five dimensions:
1. Data Readiness
What data exists, its quality, accessibility, governance, and integration capabilities.
2. Technology Readiness
Infrastructure, integration capabilities, security posture, and scalability.
3. People Readiness
Leadership AI literacy, technical skills, business skills, and change capacity.
4. Governance Readiness
Policies, risk management, compliance, and decision structures.
5. Strategy Readiness
Strategic alignment, use case clarity, resource commitment, and executive sponsorship.
SOP: AI Readiness Audit Process
Phase 1: Scoping and Planning (Days 1-3)
- Kickoff meeting with executive sponsor
- Define scope and boundaries
- Identify stakeholders for interviews
- Schedule activities
Phase 2: Data Collection (Days 4-14)
- Document review
- Stakeholder interviews (10-15 typically)
- Technical assessment
- Survey (if applicable)
Phase 3: Analysis (Days 15-20)
- Score each dimension
- Identify gaps between current and target state
- Prioritize recommendations
- Develop roadmap draft
Phase 4: Reporting and Presentation (Days 21-25)
- Draft final report
- Present to leadership
- Facilitate roadmap discussion
- Document agreed next steps
Audit Deliverables
1. Readiness Score
Quantified baseline across all five dimensions with ratings.
2. Gap Analysis
Current state, target state, and gap description for each dimension.
3. Prioritized Recommendations
Actionable recommendations ranked by impact and complexity.
4. Implementation Roadmap
Phased plan with quick wins, foundations, and strategic initiatives.
Timeline and Investment
| Scope | Duration | Investment |
|---|---|---|
| Self-assessment | 1-2 weeks | Free (staff time) |
| Focused audit | 2-3 weeks | $5,000-$15,000 |
| Standard audit | 3-4 weeks | $15,000-$50,000 |
| Enterprise audit | 4-6 weeks | $50,000-$100,000+ |
Checklist: Preparing for an AI Readiness Audit
Before the Audit
- Executive sponsor identified and committed
- Audit scope defined
- Budget approved
- Key stakeholders identified
- Document access arranged
- Interview time reserved
During the Audit
- Stakeholders prepared for interviews
- Documents provided promptly
- Questions answered honestly
- Concerns raised openly
After the Audit
- Leadership review of findings
- Roadmap discussion and refinement
- Action items assigned
- Follow-up cadence established
Frequently Asked Questions
Next Steps
An AI readiness audit provides the foundation for successful AI adoption. It reveals where you are, identifies gaps, and charts a path forward.
Book an AI Readiness Audit with Pertama Partners for an objective assessment tailored to your organization's context and goals.
Related Reading
- What Is an AI Readiness Assessment? A Complete Guide
- AI Readiness Checklist: 25 Questions
- How to Measure AI Maturity: A 5-Level Framework
Frequently Asked Questions
Typically 2-6 weeks depending on scope and complexity. A focused assessment can be done in 2 weeks; an enterprise-wide audit may take 6 weeks.
