While audits are becoming a core feature of working with AI, they don’t have a predetermined process that follows a straight line; rather, they are a web of different decisions, both from the business and the technical side. Specifically, audits often face four core challenges: 1) they don’t follow a straight line, 2) data governance is messy, 3) they require internal trust, and 4) they focus on the past. Leaders can take steps to help audits succeed. Before an audit, they can instill the right culture and incentives, and help design the audit. During the audit, they can shape the process and remove red tape.