Imagine this report: Lots of findings. Lots of flags. Lots of “areas for improvement.”
It looks thorough! It feels productive, but here’s the uncomfortable truth:
Unresolved findings are just risk in disguise.
Spotting issues is easy. Fixing them? That’s where most GRC programs fall short.
The Discovery Phase Is Not the Finish Line
Too many GRC systems are optimized for detection: tagging issues, assigning severity, logging root causes. That’s important, but it’s just step one.
What happens after the finding is logged?
- Does it get reviewed?
- Assigned?
- Tracked to closure?
- Integrated into reporting?
- Used to improve the process next time?
If not, it just sits there. A finding that never gets fixed is just a liability with better formatting.
Why This Keeps Happening
Most platforms treat findings like standalone artifacts. They’re captured during audits or assessments, then dropped into a bucket labeled “to be followed up on later.” But later rarely comes.
Resolution stalls because ownership is often vague, deadlines aren’t enforced, and statuses go stale. Remediation efforts get tracked in email threads or offline documents — if they’re tracked at all. And reporting? It’s usually disconnected from what’s actually happening on the ground.
It’s not a people problem, it’s a systems problem.
What GRC Platforms Should Actually Do
Modern GRC tools should guide findings from detection to closure. That means:
- Assign real ownership (with teeth)
No more “assigned to team.” Every finding should have a traceable name, a deadline, and a clear expectation. - Build resolution into the workflow
Remediation steps shouldn’t happen outside the system. Make it easy to log actions, document fixes, and escalate delays. - Track progress automatically
Waiting for someone to update a spreadsheet? That’s a good way to miss your audit deadline. Smart systems track changes and surface delays before they become fire drills. - Loop back into risk and control frameworks
A fixed finding should strengthen your overall program. Whether it informs a control update, a policy revision, or a new risk indicator – it should feed back into the system.
Final Thought: Don’t Celebrate the Report — Celebrate the Fix
A long list of findings doesn’t mean your program is strong.
A short list of resolved findings — that’s what tells the real story.
Because in the end, it’s not about how many issues you uncover. It’s about how many you actually solve.
Need help designing a findings workflow that drives real resolution? Let’s talk.
