How to Set Up GRC Audit in ServiceNow from Scratch?

shaistaparv
Giga Contributor

Hi Community,


I am trying to understand how to set up GRC Audit in ServiceNow from scratch. I would like to know the basic implementation steps such as:

Required plugins to activate

How to create Audit Engagements

How to define audit scope and controls

How auditors perform control testing

How issues and remediation tasks are created when controls fail

If anyone has implemented this before, could you please share the end-to-end setup process or best practices?

Thanks in advance!

3 REPLIES 3

Tanushree Maiti
Kilo Patron

Please refer this links, see if it helps you:

 

https://www.servicenow.com/community/grc-forum/servicenow-tool-for-audit-your-step-by-step-guide-to-...

 

https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/governance-risk-compliance/audit-management/create-audit-plan.html

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMBdwzTZnZM

Please mark this response as Helpful & Accept it as solution if it assisted you with your question.
Regards
Tanushree Maiti
ServiceNow Technical Architect
Linkedin:

pavani_paluri
Tera Guru

Hi @shaistaparv ,

 

Activate Required Plugins
Audit Management – core audit functionality.
Policy and Compliance Management – to define controls and compliance requirements.
Risk Management – optional, but useful for linking audits to enterprise risks.
Performance Analytics for GRC – for dashboards and KPIs.
https://docs.servicenow.com%2Fbundle%2Futah-governance-risk-compliance%2Fpage%2Fproduct%2Fgovernance...

 

Create Audit Engagements
Go to Audit Management > Engagements.
Define engagement details: objectives, timeline, auditors.
Link to relevant entities (business units, processes, applications).
Use templates for consistency across audits.
https://docs.servicenow.com%2Fbundle%2Futah-governance-risk-compliance%2Fpage%2Fproduct%2Fgovernance...

 

Define Audit Scope & Controls
Identify the scope (processes, departments, applications).
Import or define controls from Policy & Compliance.
Map controls to regulatory requirements (SOX, ISO, GDPR, etc.).
Assign control ownership to process owners.
https://docs.servicenow.com%2Fbundle%2Futah-governance-risk-compliance%2Fpage%2Fproduct%2Fgovernance...

 


Perform Control Testing
Auditors use the Control Test module within engagements.
Define test steps (manual checks, evidence collection, automated scripts).
Upload supporting documentation.
Record results as Pass/Fail with comments.
https://docs.servicenow.com%2Fbundle%2Futah-governance-risk-compliance%2Fpage%2Fproduct%2Fgovernance...

 

Handle Issues & Remediation
Failed controls automatically generate Issue records.
Issues can be categorized (minor, major, critical).
Remediation tasks are created and assigned to responsible teams.
Workflow includes approvals, due dates, and escalations.
Auditors validate remediation before closing the issue.
https://docs.servicenow.com%2Fbundle%2Futah-governance-risk-compliance%2Fpage%2Fproduct%2Fgovernance...

 

Best Practices
Start with a pilot audit in one department.
Use templates for engagements and test plans.
Automate evidence collection where possible.
Monitor progress with dashboards & KPIs.
Feed audit findings into risk management for continuous improvement.
https://docs.servicenow.com%2Fbundle%2Futah-governance-risk-compliance%2Fpage%2Fproduct%2Fgovernance...

 

Mark it helpful if this helps you to understand. Accept solution if this give you the answer you're looking for
Kind Regards,
Pavani P

SohamTipnis
Mega Sage

Hi @shaistaparv,

 

You can start by installing the Audit Management plugin. This plugin will give you demo data as well as tables that are required to perform operations on PDI, so this much is good for the start.

Also, you can refer to watching the course on Audit Management from ServiceNow University.

 

 

Screenshot 2026-03-16 161454.pngScreenshot 2026-03-16 161505.png

 

Course link: https://learning.servicenow.com/lxp/en/governance-risk-and-compliance/grc-audit-management-essential...

 

 

If you find my answer useful, please mark it as Helpful and Correct. ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌😊


Regards,
Soham Tipnis
ServiceNow Developer ||  Technical Consultant
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sohamtipnis10