Best Project Management Tools to Implement GRC Programs
Implementing an effective Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) program requires a structured approach that integrates risk management, regulatory compliance, and corporate governance.
Given the complexity of GRC initiatives—ranging from policy management to risk assessments and regulatory reporting—leveraging the right project management tools can significantly enhance efficiency, collaboration, and accountability.
This article explores the best tools to support GRC implementation, highlighting features and rationales that align with compliance tracking, workflow automation, risk mitigation, and reporting. But first, a critical distinction.
Are These Really Project Management Tools?
This is a great question—and the answer is yes, but not always in the traditional sense.
Some tools on this list, like Asana, monday.com, and Jira, are project management platforms first, adapted to GRC use cases. Others, like ServiceNow GRC, RSA Archer, LogicGate Risk Cloud, and OneTrust, are dedicated GRC platforms that include project management functionality such as workflows, task assignments, remediation tracking, and dashboards.
In short:
All of the tools listed support project management in the context of GRC, even if their primary purpose isn’t general-purpose project management.
Here’s a quick overview of how they compare:
Key Features to Look for in a GRC Project Management Tool
✔️ Task & Workflow Automation – Automate recurring GRC tasks, such as risk assessments, compliance audits, and policy updates.
✔️ Regulatory Compliance Tracking – Ensure alignment with regulations like GDPR, HIPAA, SOX, ISO 27001, and NIST frameworks.
✔️ Risk Management Capabilities – Identify, assess, and mitigate risks with built-in tracking and reporting.
✔️ Audit Trail & Reporting – Maintain logs for audits and executive reports.
✔️ Collaboration & Communication – Enable real-time coordination across departments.
✔️ System Integrations – Seamlessly connect with existing enterprise tools like SIEM, ERP, and ITSM platforms.
🔍 Why These Are the Best Tools for GRC Implementation
Each tool listed below has been selected based on its ability to solve common GRC challenges—from managing audits and vendor risks to tracking regulatory obligations and remediating control failures.
1. ServiceNow GRC – Best for Enterprise-Scale Governance and Automation
Why It’s the Best:
Built for large enterprises, ServiceNow GRC offers AI-powered automation, centralized risk workflows, and strong integration with IT and security tools.
✅ Pre-built GRC modules
✅ Automated control testing
✅ Real-time risk response and compliance insights
Ideal for: Enterprises with mature IT ecosystems requiring centralized control and visibility.
2. LogicGate Risk Cloud – Best for Flexible, No-Code GRC Workflows
Why It’s the Best:
This no-code platform lets users build and customize GRC workflows without technical resources. It’s modular and scalable, with strong third-party risk capabilities.
✅ Drag-and-drop builder
✅ Automated assessments and risk scoring
✅ Custom reporting and alerts
Ideal for: Mid-sized to large organizations needing tailored, evolving GRC workflows.
3. Asana – Best for Lightweight GRC Task Management
Why It’s the Best:
Asana is a popular project management platform that’s easy to use for managing compliance timelines, audit tasks, and policy reviews.
✅ Visual task tracking
✅ Custom fields for GRC tasks
✅ Integrations with tools like Vanta or Drata
Ideal for: Startups or small teams managing GRC in an agile, task-based format.
4. RSA Archer – Best for Deep Risk and Compliance Integration
Why It’s the Best:
This enterprise GRC platform excels at compliance lifecycle management, audit tracking, and enterprise risk oversight.
✅ Risk registers and impact analysis
✅ Policy automation and compliance mapping
✅ Robust audit capabilities
Ideal for: Regulated industries with complex compliance environments, such as finance, healthcare, or government.
5. monday.com – Best for Visual Compliance Task Tracking
Why It’s the Best:
monday.com provides an easy-to-use visual interface to manage compliance project timelines, status tracking, and control reviews.
✅ Compliance templates
✅ Workflow automations
✅ User-friendly dashboards
Ideal for: Mid-sized businesses looking for a highly visual, collaborative GRC task manager.
6. OneTrust GRC – Best for Data Privacy and Third-Party Risk
Why It’s the Best:
OneTrust is purpose-built for privacy compliance and vendor risk, with strong support for regulations like GDPR, CCPA, and ISO 27001.
✅ Data mapping and impact assessments
✅ Vendor scorecards and risk monitoring
✅ Automated privacy workflows
Ideal for: Organizations that manage sensitive data and complex vendor ecosystems.
7. Jira (with GRC Plugins) – Best for IT and Cybersecurity Compliance
Why It’s the Best:
Jira is a favorite among IT and engineering teams and can be adapted for GRC through plugins that track risks, audits, and compliance controls.
✅ Risk Register and Compliance plugins
✅ Integrations with SIEM and DevOps tools
✅ Agile ticketing for control failures and remediation
Ideal for: Cybersecurity and DevOps teams embedding GRC into technical workflows.
🧭 Choosing the Right Tool for Your GRC Program
Use this summary table to help match your needs to the right solution:
🚀 Final Thoughts
While not all of these platforms are traditional project management tools, they all provide project management functions critical to GRC success—such as tracking, assigning, and automating compliance tasks, risks, and remediation workflows.
Whether you're building a program from scratch or scaling an enterprise-wide GRC framework, the right tool will help you:
Automate and streamline compliance operations
Improve collaboration between departments
Track and mitigate organizational risk
Maintain audit readiness and transparency
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