Guided Setup
Guided Setup is an optional workflow that walks you through your compliance assessment step-by-step. This guide explains how it works and when to use it.
What Is Guided Setup?
Guided Setup is a structured mode that:
- Presents controls one at a time
- Tracks your progress through the assessment
- Provides contextual guidance for each control
- Ensures you don't miss important steps
Think of it as a "wizard" that guides you through the complexity of compliance.
Who Should Use Guided Setup?
Guided Setup is ideal for:
- First-time users — New to compliance or ForgeComply
- New assessments — Starting a fresh Type I or Stage 1
- Systematic completers — Prefer structured, step-by-step progress
You might skip Guided Setup if:
- You're experienced with compliance frameworks
- You need to work on specific controls only
- You prefer non-linear workflows
Both approaches lead to the same outcome. Choose what works for you.
How to Enable Guided Setup
Turning It On
- Look for the Guided Setup toggle in the header
- Click to enable (turns blue when active)
- Your dashboard will show guided progress
Turning It Off
- Click the toggle again to disable
- You'll return to the standard view
- Your progress is preserved
You can switch between guided and non-guided modes anytime without losing work.
The Guided Setup Workflow
When Guided Setup is enabled, you'll work through controls in a structured sequence.
Dashboard View
Your dashboard shows:
- Progress ring — How many controls you've completed
- Next Step card — The current control to work on
- Continue button — Jump directly to the next control
Control Flow
For each control, you'll:
- Read the control — Understand what's required
- Answer the question — Yes / No / Partial / N/A
- Add context — Notes explaining your implementation
- Assign owner — Who is responsible
- Link policy — Connect to relevant policy
- Add evidence — Upload supporting documentation (if required)
- Continue — Move to the next control
Progress Tracking
The interface shows:
- Current control number (e.g., "Control 5 of 28")
- Category being worked on
- Overall completion percentage
- What's remaining
Working Through a Control
When you click Continue, you'll see a focused control view:
Control Header
- Control ID (e.g., AC-01)
- Control title
- Category
Question
The core question you need to answer about your implementation.
Answer Options
| Answer | When to Use |
|---|---|
| Yes | Fully implemented and operating |
| No | Not implemented |
| Partial | Partially implemented or in progress |
| N/A | Not applicable to your organization |
Notes Field
Add context about your implementation. This helps:
- Remember your reasoning later
- Explain nuances to colleagues
- Provide context for auditors (notes are internal)
Owner Assignment
Select the person accountable for this control.
Policy Section
Link or generate the relevant policy for this control.
Evidence Section
Upload evidence demonstrating implementation (requirements vary by audit type).
Skipping and Returning
Skipping a Control
You can skip any control:
- Click Skip or navigate away
- The control remains "Not Started" or partially complete
- You can return anytime
Returning to Previous Controls
To revisit a control:
- Use the Controls page to see all controls
- Click any control to view/edit
- Or disable Guided Setup temporarily for full access
Skipping doesn't hurt your progress — it just means that control isn't complete yet.
When Guided Setup Ends
Guided Setup continues until:
- You've worked through all controls, OR
- You disable it manually
Completion doesn't mean audit-ready. You may still need to:
- Upload additional evidence
- Get policies approved
- Address "At Risk" or "Failing" controls
- Generate reports
Guided Setup helps you prepare. It does not replace management judgment or audit review.
Guided Setup vs. Standard Mode
| Aspect | Guided Setup | Standard Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Flow | Sequential, one at a time | Any order, jump around |
| Progress | Visible tracker | Dashboard summary only |
| Best for | New users, systematic work | Experienced users, targeted work |
| Flexibility | Can skip and return | Full flexibility |
Both modes work with the same data. Switching modes doesn't change your progress.
AI Quick Check (Optional)
While in Guided Setup, you may see an optional AI Quick Check feature.
This provides:
- Observations about your current control status
- Potential gaps to watch out for
- Suggestions for consideration
Important:
- AI assistance is optional — you control when to use it
- AI observations are for guidance only
- AI does not affect your audit results
- AI content is never included in reports
See AI Assistance for more details.
Tips for Success
Start Strong
Complete the first few controls carefully to establish your approach.
Be Consistent
Use similar detail levels across controls for a professional result.
Assign Owners Early
Owner assignment is often overlooked — don't skip it.
Don't Over-Document
Provide enough context to understand, but don't write essays.
Take Breaks
Compliance is a marathon, not a sprint. Progress is saved automatically.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Guided Setup for part of the assessment?
Yes. Enable it when helpful, disable when you need flexibility.
Does skipping a control affect my score?
Not directly. The control remains incomplete, which affects your overall readiness.
Can multiple team members use Guided Setup?
Yes, but be aware you may be working on the same controls. Coordinate with your team.
What if I disagree with the suggested order?
Disable Guided Setup and work in whatever order makes sense for you.
Is Guided Setup required?
No. It's entirely optional.
Next Steps
- Controls Documentation — Deep dive into controls
- Policies Documentation — Understanding policies
- Evidence Documentation — What evidence you need