Slip-up Corporation is a large, decentralized manufacturer of sliding doors and windows. It is based in Auckland, but it services the Southeast Asian market as well as Australia and New Zealand. The company uses information systems technology aggressively, both for its internal data processing requirements and as a strategic means of improving its services to customers. For example, it has a sophisticated manufacturing control system, and it provides a free service to potential customers by using an interactive system to estimate window and door requirements in light of ventilation, insulation, and building capacity needs.

So far the company has purposely restricted use of desktop computers by its managers because top management has feared it will be unable to control systems development within the organization. Nevertheless they recognize substantial benefits can be gained from using desktop computers. As a result, they have authorized a series of studies that will recommend guidelines on how desktop computers should be acquired and used within the corporation.

Required. You are the chief internal auditor for Slip-up. As part of the series of studies on desktop computers that have been authorized by top management, you have been asked to prepare a set of standards that will govern testing, production release, and maintenance of software developed by end users. These standards will provide guidance to end users who develop their own systems using desk-top computers and high-level software. Prepare an outline of the standards you will recommend in your report to management. Note: Be sure to restrict yourself only to the testing, production release, and maintenance phases.