Disclosure Surveys in SAP GRC: Streamlining Compliance and Risk Assessment

In today’s complex landscape of regulations and risks, organizations of all sizes need effective ways to identify and address potential compliance pitfalls. SAP Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) solutions offer powerful tools to manage these challenges, and the Disclosure Survey is a vital part of that toolkit.

What are Disclosure Surveys?

Disclosure surveys are questionnaires designed to gather information directly from process owners, control owners, or other key stakeholders involved in an organization’s operations. In the SAP GRC context, they focus on:

• Control Effectiveness: Confirm if controls are designed appropriately and operating as intended.
• Risk Assessment: Gauging risks’ likelihood and potential impact on business processes.
• Compliance: Verifying adherence to internal policies, external regulations, and industry standards.

Why are Disclosure Surveys Important?

1. Proactive Risk Management: Disclosure surveys shift your processes from reactive to proactive. They help you identify potential compliance issues or risks before they become significant problems.
2. Informed Decision-Making: The data gathered through disclosure surveys allows for better decision-making based on real-world insights into control effectiveness and risk exposure.
3. Improved Audit Readiness: Consistent use of disclosure surveys demonstrates a commitment to compliance and provides valuable documentation for internal and external audits.
4. Accountability: Disclosure surveys promote ownership by making stakeholders responsible for reporting the status of risks and controls within their areas.

Critical Steps in Using Disclosure Surveys in SAP GRC

1. Planning: Define the survey’s purpose, scope, and target participants. Consider the specific risks, controls, or compliance requirements you wish to address.
2. Survey Design: Create well-structured questions in the SAP GRC Survey Library using clear and concise language. For nuanced responses, include a combination of yes/no, multiple-choice, and open-ended questions.
3. Survey Distribution: Use SAP GRC’s workflow capabilities to send the survey to appropriate stakeholders with deadlines and reminders.
4. Response Analysis and Reporting: Analyze the collected responses, noting any patterns or inconsistencies. SAP GRC’s reporting features help you visualize the overall picture and identify areas needing attention.
5. Remediation Planning: Work with stakeholders to develop action plans to improve weak or ineffective controls or to address risks highlighted by the survey.

Best Practices for Effective SAP GRC Disclosure Surveys

• Keep it Focused: Design focused surveys with targeted questions instead of lengthy generic ones.
• Tailored Audience: Ensure the survey is relevant and understandable for the intended participants.
• Provide Guidance: Offer clear instructions to reduce misinterpretation of survey questions.
• Set Expectations: Communicate clear timelines and the importance of providing timely and accurate responses.
• Follow-up: Address areas of concern raised in the results promptly.
• Iterative Process: Treat disclosure surveys as an ongoing activity, not a one-off event. Schedule surveys regularly to maintain a current picture of risk and compliance.

In Conclusion

SAP GRC Disclosure Surveys are a powerful instrument in an organization’s risk and compliance arsenal. By strategically utilizing this tool, you can cultivate a more robust control environment, mitigate risks, and ensure the ongoing health of your business.