This article will give you an overview of best practices for using Experta as a consultant.
To get the maximum benefits from Experta, it is recommended that you try out the features in the sequence they are listed below:
1) Learn about consulting work
2) Find exactly what to do for each clause of the standard
3) Find the most popular questions per each topic
5) Find everything Experta has answered you
1) Learn about consulting work
In order to stay on top of any question that a client might ask you, learn about the details of a standard through the Guided learning feature – its purpose is to teach you the details of a particular topic.
For example, you can learn about the details of:
- setting the scope
- organizing implementation in a company
- risk management
- preparing for a certification
- etc.
To start Guided learning, click the menu item from the main menu:
… and then click the Guided learning you are interested in:
You will notice that the guided learning will automatically start, taking you through all the important questions related to the topic you have chosen.
2) Find exactly what to do for each clause of the standard
To know what the standard requires, and how to perform the most important activities for each clause of the standard, use the Explore by clause feature – its purpose is to make it easier for you to find the most important questions about each clause.
For example, for each clause you’ll find the following questions:
- What is clause xyz?
- How to document clause xyz?
- How to implement clause xyz?
- What evidence the auditor will look for regarding clause xyz?
To start Explore by clause, click the menu item from the main menu:
… and then click the clause you are interested in:
You will notice that the relevant set of questions will be automatically displayed – simply click any of these questions and Experta will answer you instantly.
3) Find the most popular questions per each topic
If you want to prepare for the most common questions your clients might ask you, use the Explore by topic feature – its purpose is to show the most common questions for any given topic.
To start the Explore by clause feature, click the menu item from the main menu:
… and then click the topic you’re interested in:
You’ll notice that Experta will show you the 3 most popular questions from that topic – simply click any of these questions and Experta will answer you right away.
4) Ask questions on your own
Once you explore all the questions that Experta is suggesting, it is time to start asking your own questions. (The questions below are presented for ISO 27001, but feel free to ask similar questions for other standards.)
Here are some ideas on what to ask…
Basic questions to start with
If you’re starting your career in a particular standard, or if you want to refresh your memory, here are some ideas:
- What are the mandatory clauses in ISO 27001? https://experta.com/shared-post/b53e9222-a419-4239-a55b-65e26d0f17d9
- How to present ISO 27001 benefits to the top management? https://experta.com/shared-post/fc99ac04-96ed-49f6-9746-fbd02b2b1903
- What is the purpose of ISMS? https://experta.com/shared-post/a83868ec-9186-4ae1-b553-bd90b746dfd3
- What are the steps to perform corrective actions? https://experta.com/shared-post/4c726a5d-2bc7-4f51-8884-c41ed722f6f6
- Create a learning program for ISO 27001 for a new consultant https://experta.com/shared-post/1d0afc6e-4681-4f9a-8156-0931ec284b22
Questions to save time
Here are some ideas on how to save time rather than searching the Internet or reading the standard:
- Which Annex A controls cover incident management? https://experta.com/shared-post/cf579205-e44d-4571-bf1f-fbf4a1e4efc3
- What are the most common risks related to USB memory drives? https://experta.com/shared-post/ac046780-37ab-4f2b-ba6e-9c9c87847614
- How to protect against insider threats? https://experta.com/shared-post/b710c78a-0444-4637-bd60-5649bc9eeac0
- What is ISO 27019? https://experta.com/shared-post/8ccf1e57-6965-4a92-b281-5dd9324a6986
Questions to speed up implementation
Here are some ideas on how to use Experta to speed up your implementation:
- What are the steps for performing management review? https://experta.com/shared-post/308b8a9c-d138-4d59-8c25-9e7646ca3d5a
- What inputs are needed for ISO 27001 management review? https://experta.com/shared-post/8a2db5e9-21e0-450b-ba4e-35e9f68a594a
- Create a script on what should a consultant present at a management review meeting https://experta.com/shared-post/61769fde-a962-4e44-9b0f-b5cfc32d689a
- How to review audit results during management review? https://experta.com/shared-post/ece550e9-ba3c-4acd-a837-819154ec97be
- What to include in management review minutes? https://experta.com/shared-post/5f31e9eb-a30a-4055-932e-da1f3ef79e73
Questions for internal audit and pre-certification check
If you’re performing an internal audit for a client, or you want to check if they’re ready for the certification, here are a couple of ideas:
- How to structure the internal audit checklist? https://experta.com/shared-post/1654e341-9376-4fd7-9537-f052f7f0ba1d
- What will the certification auditor look for regarding risk assessment and treatment https://experta.com/shared-post/919830df-4cf3-45f2-959e-816d878046e8
- What evidence to look for regarding clause 7.4? https://experta.com/shared-post/56f6fe9d-ad27-4ca8-a7ba-f78f79435040
- What evidence is needed for access control? https://experta.com/shared-post/2a419393-2f45-4dcc-b0c5-becb6103dab7
5) Find everything Experta has answered you
If you want to see all the answers Experta has provided you, use the Saved conversations feature – its purpose is to archive all your correspondence with Experta.
To open Saved conversations, click the menu item from the main menu:
… and then click the conversation you want to see:
You’ll notice that Experta will show you the whole conversation on the main screen – you can simply continue that conversation, or click another saved conversation to be displayed.