The SAI ITMA framework leverages a variety of technical standards to assess and improve the IT maturity of Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs). These standards typically include:

• COBIT (Control Objectives for Information and Related Technologies): A framework for developing, implementing, monitoring, and improving IT governance and management practices.
• ISO/IEC 27001: An international standard for information security management systems (ISMS), providing requirements for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continually improving an ISMS.
• ITIL (Information Technology Infrastructure Library): A set of practices for IT service management (ITSM) that focuses on aligning IT services with the needs of the business.
• CMMI (Capability Maturity Model Integration): A process level improvement training and appraisal program that helps organizations improve their performance.
• NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) Cybersecurity Framework: A voluntary framework that provides a policy framework of computer security guidance for how private sector organizations in the US can assess and improve their ability to prevent, detect, and respond to cyber-attacks.

These standards help to ensure that the SAI ITMA framework is comprehensive, robust, and aligned with international best practices in IT governance, security, and management.

In this case, you can consider the following steps: 

1. Consult with (other) SAI Staff: Reach out to relevant staff members within the SAI who may have knowledge or information related to the specific question. They may be able to provide insights, data, or documentation that can support your response. 
2. Review Internal Reports: Check if there are internal reports, presentations, or records within the SAI that may contain relevant information to address the question. These documents could provide valuable insights even if they are not official SAI documents.
3. Seek Clarification: If you are unsure about how to proceed without official documents, consider reaching out to the SAI ITMA coordinator or a designated contact person for guidance on alternative sources of information or evidence. 
4. Document Limitations: If you are unable to find official SAI documents to support your response, clearly document this limitation in your assessment report or notes. Acknowledge the lack of official documentation and explain any alternative sources or methods used to address the question. 
5. Consider External Sources: In some cases, you may be able to gather relevant information from external sources such as industry reports, best practices, or benchmarking data to provide context or insights for answering the question. 
6. Focus on Process and Practices: If official documents are not available, focus on describing the processes, practices, and procedures followed within the SAI related to the question. Provide a detailed explanation based on your understanding and knowledge of the SAI's operations. 
7. Flag for Follow-up: If the lack of official documents poses a significant challenge in answering the question accurately, consider flagging it for follow-up or further investigation to ensure that the assessment is thorough and comprehensive. 

By taking these steps and considering alternative sources of information and documentation, you can address SAI ITMA questions effectively even in the absence of official SAI documents. It is important to maintain transparency, thoroughness, and accuracy in the assessment process.

To form a comprehensive and effective SAI ITMA application team, a diverse set of professional profiles with specific expertise and skills are required. Here are the key professional profiles needed to form the SAI ITMA application team: 

1.  IT Auditor: An IT auditor brings expertise in auditing IT systems, controls, and processes. They are essential for assessing the IT governance, risk management, and compliance aspects of the SAI's IT environment. 
2.  IT Specialist: IT specialists have technical knowledge and skills in IT infrastructure, systems, and security. They play a crucial role in evaluating the technical maturity of IT systems and identifying areas for improvement. 
3. Project Manager: A project manager is responsible for overseeing the assessment process, coordinating team activities, managing timelines, and ensuring the successful completion of the ITMA assessment. 
4. Data Analyst: A data analyst is needed to analyze and interpret data collected during the assessment process. They help in identifying trends, patterns, and insights that inform the assessment findings. 
5. Process Improvement Expert: A process improvement expert can provide insights into optimizing IT processes, enhancing efficiency, and implementing best practices to improve IT maturity within the SAI. 
6. Quality Assurance Specialist: A quality assurance specialist ensures the accuracy and reliability of the assessment results, reviews the assessment process for compliance with standards, and identifies areas for improvement. 
7. Communication Specialist: A communication specialist is responsible for effectively communicating the assessment findings, recommendations, and progress to stakeholders within the SAI. 
8. Documentation Specialist: A documentation specialist is needed to document the assessment process, findings, recommendations, and action plans for future reference and reporting purposes. 

By assembling a team with these diverse professional profiles, the SAI can ensure a comprehensive and well-rounded approach to conducting the SAI ITMA assessment, addressing technical, governance, process, communication, and documentation aspects effectively.

It is essential to consider the complexity and expertise required in conducting the assessment in your particular case. While it is possible to apply SAI ITMA internally within the SAI, the involvement of consultants can provide several benefits: 

1. Expertise: Consultants bring specialized knowledge and experience in conducting IT assessments, ensuring a thorough and accurate evaluation of IT maturity. 

2. Objectivity: External consultants can offer an unbiased perspective on the assessment, leading to more objective results. 

3. Efficiency: Consultants can expedite the assessment process, saving time and resources for the SAI. 

4. Recommendations: Consultants can provide valuable recommendations based on best practices and industry standards to improve IT maturity. 

However, if the SAI has the necessary expertise and resources internally, it can conduct the assessment without external consultants. In this case, the changes involved would include dedicating internal staff to lead the assessment, allocating time for training and preparation, and ensuring thorough documentation of the assessment process and results. Ultimately, the decision to involve consultants in applying SAI ITMA depends on the SAI's capacity and resources.

The ideal size of a team to apply the SAI ITMA) can vary depending on the size of the SAI, the complexity of its IT systems, and the scope of the assessment. However, a balanced and effective team typically includes members with the following roles and responsibilities: 

1. Project Manager

2. IT Experts 

3. Process Owners

4. Quality Assurance 

5. Documentation Specialist 

6. Support Staff (additional team members who can assist in data collection, analysis, and other tasks as needed)

While there is no fixed number for the ideal team size, a diverse team with representation from various departments and expertise areas is beneficial for a comprehensive and successful SAI ITMA assessment. It is essential to ensure that the team members have the necessary skills, knowledge, overview, and commitment to contribute effectively to the assessment process.

SAI ITMA stands for Supreme Audit Institution Information Technology Maturity Assessment. It is a framework designed to evaluate and enhance the IT maturity of SAIs in both internal operations and external audit capabilities. 

IT maturity is crucial for SAIs to effectively audit complex IT systems, leverage technology for better audit outcomes, and meet the increasing demands of digital governance.

There is no defined frequency. It is advisable to carry out a first application as soon as possible to obtain a "baseline" and then each SAI should define the frequency for its application, according to its institutional strategy. Given the rapidly changing dynamics of technological development, a SAI ITMA application should be repeated every two to three years and ideally be combined with strategic and / or operational planning processes of the SAI.

There is a series of materials composed of a Manual, a Handbook (user’s guide), and other materials that provide appropriate guidance to develop the whole process. In addition, you can contact the SAI ITMA Team through sai-itma@giz.de to receive further information.