IDI will grow LOTA Pioneers through the combination of

• Integrated education and support;
• LOTA Mentors to support LOTA Scan, Strategy, and Audits;
• LOTA Accountability Buddies;
• The LOTA Pioneers Leadership Continuum; and 
• LOTA Pioneers Awards and Alumni.

More information on each of the LOTA Pioneers component can be found in the section below.

IDI will provide each LOTA Pioneer with professional education to develop competencies as LOTA Pioneers and mentoring support to carry out their scan, strategy and audit assignments successfully. Together with experts from, within and outside the INTOSAI community, we have developed a syllabus mapped to the competency framework for LOTA Pioneers. This syllabus will be delivered through professional education modules, social learning sessions and on the job support in a blend of online and in person formats.

Each auditor participating in LOTA Pioneers will cover the modules related to being an effective, accountable, and inclusive LOTA Pioneer, followed by a  deep dive into two tracks:

a) Strategize for digital transformation in audits track provides LOTA Pioneer with competencies required to conduct LOTA Scan and lead the strategic change in the organization.

b) Bringing technology into the audit world track provides LOTA Pioneer with competencies required to conduct LOTA Audits either using data analysis in SAI audits or conducting audits of IT systems. This track covers

• use of data analysis tools and techniques to transform and clean data; find trends, exceptions in data; visualize data; use descriptive and diagnostic analysis; use various tools for data analysis (LOTA Pioneers is vendor agnostic).
• awareness of other advanced techniques such as machine learning, artificial intelligence, remote sensing, GIS techniques.
• evaluation of organization information technology infrastructure, management, policies, procedures. Pioneers will be able to work with wide range of IT systems and conduct audits covering different aspects of technology audits.
• the audits of emerging technologies such as AI, Blockchain, 5G, cybersecurity concerns, operational technology is out of scope of LOTA Pioneers.

Based on their learning and reflections, the LOTA Pioneers will:

• LOTA Pioneers Strategy will lead a team to conduct a LOTA scan and develop a LOTA strategy based on the scan. IDI mentors will support the scan and the development of this strategy.
• LOTA Pioneers Audit will carry out LOTA audits on high priority topics, using appropriate data analytics. IDI mentors will support the pioneers in planning, conducting and reporting stage of the audit

Besides LOTA Mentors, LOTA Pioneers will act as LOTA Accountability Buddies for each other. They will support each other’s journey, nudge each other into action and successful completion of their projects.

Successful transformation and change initiatives require sponsorship and support throughout the SAI leadership chain. Through this initiative the IDI plans to reach out to three levels of SAI leadership

IDI will give out LOTA Pioneers Awards for LOTA Strategy and LOTA Audit.

LOTA Pioneers Alumni will provide space for fostering a professional network of pioneers across the cohorts and facilitating their continuous professional development. This alumni network will be connected to LOTA Connect which is visualized as a broader network of technology and audit professionals.

Please see the timeline for the LOTA Pioneers 2023-2024 batch below.