SmartSuite for the Policy Owner
A Policy Owner is the business or functional leader accountable for a specific policy: its content, its periodic review, the exceptions granted against it and the controls that enforce it. They approve changes and attest that the policy remains fit for purpose.
What you own
- Own the content and accuracy of assigned policies
- Review policies on schedule and approve revisions
- Decide on exception requests and record the rationale
- Ensure controls and procedures implement the policy
- Respond to audit and compliance questions about the policy
- Communicate policy changes to affected teams
Where the role sits
Each name opens that role's page.
Reports to
Direct reports
Works closely with
GRC processes
The shared GRC process map, highlighted for this role.
Owns
accountable for the process
Touches
contributes or approves
Depends on
consumes its output
How SmartSuite helps, suite by suite
Each card is the persona record from that suite's Users tab.
How they use SmartSuite
Suites that serve this role
Products this role uses most
How SmartSuite supports this role
Policy management. Routes scheduled reviews and change approvals to the policy owner with version comparison and sign-off recorded.
Issues and actions. Captures exception requests and decisions against the policy with expiry dates.
Reporting. Shows the owner attestation completion and open exceptions for their policies.
Industry reference
ISO 37301:2021 assigns responsibility for each policy to an accountable owner, and COSO's 2013 control environment principles expect management to own the policies that implement control. The IIA's Three Lines Model places that ownership in the first line.
Regulators hold owners to the policy as written. Bank examiners test practice against board-approved policy under the OCC's heightened standards; HIPAA audits compare operations with documented policies; SOC 2 and ISO 27001 auditors treat an unapproved or overdue policy as a finding; public bodies may have to defend policy decisions under administrative law.
In their words
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