A Devil's Advocate Audit is a thorough process used to scrutinize business and strategic plans. In determining the merits of a plan, a Devil's Advocate Auditor will employ analytical reasoning as well as subjective analysis in connection with issuing an assessment of the plan. The following are just a few of the considerations included in a Devil's Advocate Audit:

• What is the quality of data behind the assumptions?
• Which information is not presented but should be?
• How realistic are the assumptions?
• What are the analogs and antilogs of the plan?
• Is the financial modeling sound?
• Has the financial model been stress-tested?
• Are there hidden agendas among the key players?
• What are the key person risks?
• Are sufficient resources committed to the plan?
• Is the plan in accordance with the temperament of key constituents?
• How much precedential value should any near-term success be given?
• How portable is the concept and how scalable is the business model?
• Have compensation policies been modified to increase the chance of the plan's success?
• Is there sufficient commitment at senior levels to ensure a commitment to execution?
• What exogenous factors could derail the strategic plan?
• Are you prepared to tolerate many disappointments to learn what the business really is?