POLICY AND DOCUMENT MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE
Frequently asked questions.
No one ever chooses the right policy and procedure management software without first asking a lot of good questions. Here are some of the most common questions we've heard during our discovery sessions, demonstrations, and training.
Top of mind and thinking ahead.
These questions should address many of your immediate needs and help you think ahead about how you can scale.
Policy and procedure software
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What is a policy and procedure management platform?
A policy and procedure management platform, like Zavanta, streamlines the entire lifecycle of policies and procedures. It helps organizations create, standardize, and manage clear, accessible, and compliant documents. Outcomes include increased compliance, increased operational efficiency, and enhanced staff performance and accountability
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Why do I need a policy and procedure management solution?
A P&P solution helps ensure consistency, compliance, and efficiency by centralizing document creation, updates, and accessibility while reducing risks, providing evidence for audits, and enhancing accountability.
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What is the difference between policy and procedure?
A policy outlines overarching rules or principles, while a procedure details specific steps to implement or follow the policy. We cover more details in our blog post.
Policy and procedure software
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What makes Zavanta better than basic methods?
Zavanta offers an integrated solution tailored specifically for policy and procedure management. Unlike general file-sharing tools, users have access to specialized features like guided authoring with standardized templates, automated review and approval processes, and centralized access to all document management stages.
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What makes Zavanta the best standard operating procedure software?
Zavanta stands out as the best standard operating procedure software because it simplifies complex processes with intuitive templates, automated workflows, and ensures consistency, compliance, and easy knowledge sharing across teams.
Document creation and management
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Can the policy management tool handle multi-media, like images and videos?
Yes, users can embed images, animations, and videos.
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Can I archive old or retired policies?
Yes, Zavanta allows you to archive old or retired policies. The platform enables you to move outdated policies to an archive while maintaining access for reference or compliance audits.
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Can policies and procedures be linked or cross-referenced?
Yes, policies and procedures can be linked together and/or cross-referenced through hyperlinks.
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Does Zavanta support multiple languages?
Yes, the Zavanta Global Translation System is designed to deliver content consistently across different formats and 150+ languages without ever leaving the Zavanta platform.
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How can I track the progress of a policy through its lifecycle?
The control center dashboard offers one location with visibility into the process for all workflows and documents.
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How do I create a new policy or procedure document in the solution?
Creating a new document is as simple as choosing your document type and filling in prompts with the necessary information.
Document creation and management
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Does the solution provide a policy and procedure template?
Yes, content overlays offer standardized templates when creating policies and procedures. Admins can also virtually provide advice for each specific section to better explain the intentions of the section.
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Does the SOP software assist with policy writing?
Yes, Guided Authoring assists writers, whether novice or experienced subject matter experts, in crafting high-quality policy and procedure content.
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Can I duplicate or clone existing documents for quicker creation?
Zavanta’s structured content model allows content elements to be repurposed across different channels or platforms and for different use cases.
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Does the solution allow me to compare different versions of a document?
Yes, document side-by-side comparison allows authorized users see the changes from one version to another.
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Can I add an audit trail to track the creation and approval process?
Yes, the document audit trail tracks comments and every change by author with the date and time stamp.
Workflow management
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Is there an approval workflow for policy updates?
Yes, the software includes an approval workflow for policy updates that automates the review and approval process.
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Can I create custom workflows for policy and procedures?
Yes, workflows can be created for specific functions that happen on a reoccurring basis (including employee attestation campaigns, review/approval, etc.)
Workflow management
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Can I set automatic review dates for policies?
Yes, you can set automatic review dates for policy and procedure documents.
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How are users notified of their tasks or approvals within the workflow?
Users have multi-channel alerts available to them, including email notices and a notifications center within the platform.
Reporting
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Does the solution support tracking policy acknowledgment?
Yes, tracking policy acknowledgment is supported through the Zavanta Read-Verify capabilities and employee attestation like Checklists and Electronic Signature.
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What kind of metrics can be tracked within Zavanta?
Zavanta provides robust tracking and analytics capabilities, including testing and quizzes, user analytics, feedback tools, audit trails, and more.
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How can Zavanta assist our organization in achieving ISO 27001 certification?
Our software streamlines the creation, management, and tracking of ISMS policies and procedures, helping you meet ISO 27001 requirements. With features like risk assessment tools, compliance tracking, and audit support, it simplifies certification while enhancing information security.
Reporting
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What insights can I gain from reporting to improve policy effectiveness?
Zavanta’s analytics can help you track engagement, identify gaps in usage, and improve overall policy compliance. To learn more, read our blog post.
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Is reporting available in real-time?
Yes, the reporting dashboard offers real-time metrics.
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How can Zavanta help our organization achieve SOC 2 compliance?
Our software simplifies SOC 2 compliance by centralizing the management of policies, procedures, and controls required for audits. With features like automated workflows, compliance tracking, and audit-ready reporting, it ensures your organization meets SOC 2 requirements efficiently.
End user experience
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Is there a search function to locate specific documents quickly?
Yes, Zavanta includes a robust, AI-supported search function that allows users to quickly locate specific documents, policies, or procedures.
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Can employees access policies and procedures on their mobile devices or tablets?
Yes, the Zavanta Mobile App allows on-the-go access to the company portal.
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Can users bookmark or save frequently accessed policies?
Yes, users can favorite, bookmark, or save frequently accessed policies and procedures to their personalized dashboards for quick reference.
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How do I find policies relevant to specific departments or roles?
Picklists allow for the searching and filtering by a component of structured data, including job titles, employee names, departments, etc.
End user experience
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Does the SOP software notify users of changes to policies?
Yes, Zavanta includes automatic notifications to notify users of changes to policies.
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Can we customize the interface to match our branding?
Yes, the company Zavanta portal can be personalized with brand colors and imagery.
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How do employees access the solution?
Employees log into the company portal which is accessible on any device, including desktops, tablets, and smartphones.
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Can employees provide feedback on the policies in the system?
Yes, employees can fill out feedback forms to recommend changes or updates to policies and procedures.
Implementation
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Are we going to need to recreate all our current documents from scratch?
No, you can import existing content, whether from Word documents or other formats, and then easily convert them into structured, standardized formats.
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What kind of training is provided for users?
Users have access to a variety of self-paced and instructor lead training courses, including Jumpstart Implementation, Operations Mapping Training, and Zavanta University.
Implementation
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What are the steps involved in the implementation process?
We have multiple steps in the implementation process, including the creation of your company portal and a pilot program within the organization. Ask our team for more detailed information.
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Will your team assist with customizing the software to fit our organization’s needs?
Yes, we will work with you to ensure your specific Zavanta portal is customized to fit your organization's needs.
System administration
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Can admins restrict access to sensitive documents?
Yes, administrators can restrict access to sensitive documents using role-based permissions
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Is customer support available for issues?
Customer support is available through the Zavanta Services Team, Support Desk, Client Services Hub, and the Zavanta Help Center.
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Can the standard operating procedure software be deployed on premises or in the cloud?
Zavanta is a cloud-based solution, it cannot be deployed on premise.
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What security measures are in place to protect data?
Zavanta includes robust security measures, including ISO 27001 and SOC 2 Certified US certifications
System administration
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Is the solution compatible with Single Sign-On (SSO)?
Yes, Single Sign-On is available.
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Can Zavanta scale to accommodate organizational growth?
Yes, there is no limit on the number or size of documents within your portal.
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Does Zavanta integrate with other software?
Yes, Zavanta can integrate with applications such as ERP, finance, LMS, and CRM systems.
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Can user roles be customized?
Yes, Zavanta offers role-based permissions, allowing administrators to control access and choose which users can view, edit, or manage specific policies and procedures.