> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.covianalytics.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Simplified Control Assessments

> A streamlined assessment workflow that makes it faster for control owners to complete their reviews.

## Overview

Simplified Control Assessments provide a lighter-weight review process for controls that don't need the full assessment workflow. Instead of the standard prepare-and-sign-off cycle, simplified assessments let control owners confirm effectiveness with fewer steps — reducing the administrative burden while still maintaining an audit trail.

***

## When to use it

Simplified assessments are suited for:

* **High-frequency controls** — controls performed daily or weekly where the full assessment cycle would be disproportionate
* **Low-risk controls** — controls mitigating risks that are already well within appetite
* **Mature controls** — controls with a strong track record that don't need detailed commentary each cycle

***

## Setting it up

### Enabling simplified assessments

1. Go to **Administration** > [Configuration](/admin/configuration)
2. Select the **Controls** tab
3. Look for the assessment mode settings — enable the simplified assessment option
4. Configure which control types or categories are eligible for simplified assessments

### Assigning the assessment mode to a control

1. Open the control's [Control Card](/controls/control-card)
2. In the basic information or assessment settings, select the simplified assessment mode
3. Save the control — the assessment workflow will update to reflect the simplified process

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## How it works in practice

### Standard vs Simplified

| Aspect                 | Standard Assessment                    | Simplified Assessment               |
| ---------------------- | -------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------- |
| **Preparer's Comment** | Required — detailed narrative          | Optional or reduced                 |
| **Sign-off**           | Required — reviewer must approve       | May be auto-approved or streamlined |
| **Evidence upload**    | Expected                               | Optional                            |
| **RAG rating**         | Set by preparer, confirmed by reviewer | Set by preparer                     |
| **Audit trail**        | Full prepare/sign-off history          | Confirmation log                    |

### The simplified workflow

1. The control owner opens the [Control Card](/controls/control-card)
2. Reviews the control's current state
3. Confirms the control is operating effectively (or flags an issue)
4. The assessment is recorded with a timestamp

### Viewing simplified assessments

* The [Controls Dashboard](/controls/dashboard) treats simplified assessments the same as standard ones for RAG and overdue counts
* The [Tracks & Trends](/controls/control-card#tracks--trends) section shows the full history regardless of assessment type
* The [Export Center](/export/center) includes assessment type in exported data

***

## Tips & Tricks

<Tip>
  Start with standard assessments for all controls, then move mature, well-performing controls to the simplified mode once they've had several clean assessment cycles. This gives you a baseline before reducing oversight.
</Tip>

<Tip>
  Even with simplified assessments, encourage control owners to add a brief comment when something has changed — a one-line note is far more useful than a blank confirmation when an auditor asks questions later.
</Tip>

<Warning>
  Don't use simplified assessments for controls mitigating your highest-rated risks. Regulators and auditors expect proportionate oversight — a critical control with a one-click confirmation may raise questions.
</Warning>

<Note>
  Switching a control from simplified back to standard assessment does not lose any history. The [Tracks & Trends](/controls/control-card#tracks--trends) section preserves both assessment types in the same timeline.
</Note>