5 Reasons to Put ERM Software on Your GRC Shortlist

If you’re considering automating your governance risk and compliance (GRC) program there are dozens of choices out there and choosing the one that’s best for your program can be challenging.

While many software systems out there can document controls and test compliance, managing enterprise-wide governance, risk, and compliance is about much more.  It’s about adding measurable business value and contributing to the achievement of strategic goals.

To help you separate software that has simply jumped on the buzzword bandwagon from Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) software that will help you deliver business value, here’s a list of five must have capabilities required to support your GRC or ERM program.

5 Capabilities that will add value to your GRC/ERM program

• Is GRC and risk management tied to strategic goals?

Senior management is concerned with where your organization is going.  Without a connection between risk and strategic objectives, you’re executive team is unlikely to make risk or compliance initiatives a priority.

• Does it directly link activities to performance management?

While it’s good to be in compliance and have some risks covered, your risk and compliance program should be aligned with operational goals.  This means using metrics and controls that can actionably improve business performance, not just meet requirements or checking off a box.

• Does it drill down to the process level?

Every day your front-line managers are making decisions about risk.  Does this erm software give you transparency into these decisions and will your process-level managers be able to use it?

• Is information shared across business silos?

Meeting several compliance standards often requires the collection of similar data.  Does this software allow information to be collected once and then be reused across silos and functions to prevent double-work?

• Does it use SMART business metrics?

S.M.A.R.T. business metrics are built at the process level, around root-causes, are comparable, and are forward looking to give you the most complete picture of your risk and compliance program.

Whether your risk management program flies under the banner of GRC or ERM you need ERM software that gives you transparency into processes and shows relationships across your enterprise.