Greater transparency, faster implementation: An optimised approach to IDA report creation
In many institutions, the scope and importance of IDA reports are continuing to grow. A clearly structured process for creating IDA reports in agree21 analyses helps ensure that analyses can be produced more quickly, remain professionally comprehensible and can also be reliably reviewed by third parties. Standardised procedures make the underlying technical complexity easier to understand and manage.
The Scenario
When reports and audit activities need to become independent of individual knowledge
In practice, many analyses still rely heavily on the implicit knowledge of individual report creators. Queries, parameters and variables have evolved over time, naming conventions are inconsistent and interdependencies are only partially documented. As a result, adapting existing reports can be time-consuming, while onboarding new colleagues can be cumbersome.
A repeatable process defines from the outset how queries and data elements are named, documented and developed further. This significantly reduces reliance on the knowledge of individual experts.
,allowExpansion)
The challenge
Keeping complex IDA analyses transparent and verifiable
The main challenge lies less in the technical implementation of individual calculations than in establishing a clear functional and technical structure for the analysis. Report creators, development approvers and auditors need to be able to identify quickly which query provides which data, which filters apply and how transformed data elements differ from fields taken directly from the IDA package.
A lack of standards increases the need for coordination and makes both functional and technical reviews more difficult. At the same time, the required level of transparency must not impede the creation of new analyses.
A clearly defined approach improves traceability, simplifies approvals and provides a reliable basis for audits.
The solution
Consistent naming conventions and process principles for IDA report creation
The process developed is based on clear and consistent naming conventions for queries, parameters, variables and data elements. The naming syntax follows defined rules that make both the functional meaning and technical purpose immediately apparent.
This enables analyses to be created more quickly, developed more reliably and handed over more easily to other stakeholders. Both internal and external audit activities benefit from the transparent structure. The technical complexity remains, but the standardised approach makes it considerably easier to manage.
)
The execution
Creating a transparent and maintainable IDA report
Four clear principles provide a transparent structure – from the data element and its transformation through to visualisation:
Clear naming and structure
Queries, parameters, and variables follow a consistent pattern. Their content, purpose, and usage are immediately recognizable. Misunderstandings are reduced, and coordination between the specialist department and development is facilitated.
Validation and Four-Eyes Principle
Clear labels make dependencies and calculation logics transparent. Professional and technical approvals are facilitated.
Logging and Verifiability
Transformed data elements are clearly delineated from fields in the IDA package. Origin, processing, and usage remain traceable. The queries also provide essential information that supports easier logging.
Maintenance and Adjustment
Affected queries, filters, and data elements can be quickly identified. Changes are implemented more purposefully. The time required for maintenance is significantly reduced.
Structured IDA reports are based on
clear naming conventions and a consistently traceable structure - from the data element through the transformation to the visualization.
,allowExpansion)
The result
Faster implementation and reliable testing
A consistent structure provides a common framework for the creation, approval and review of IDA reports. The technical depth of the analyses is retained, while clear naming conventions and structures make them more accessible.
The process supports effective collaboration and facilitates onboarding and handovers. This ensures that IDA report submissions remain transparent, maintainable and audit-ready even as their volume increases.
