Tracking progress is essential to staying on schedule and understanding when you're ready for certification audits. DSALTA provides comprehensive progress metrics and insights to keep your compliance program on track.
Understanding Progress Metrics
DSALTA calculates framework completion using three weighted components:
Control Implementation (50% weight) Measures how many controls are fully implemented versus the total required controls. A control is considered implemented when:
All required evidence is collected
Associated tests are passing
Policies are documented and approved
An owner is assigned
Evidence Collection (30% weight): Tracks the percentage of required evidence gathered. Evidence includes:
Automated evidence from integrations
Manually uploaded documents
Policy documentation
Test results and screenshots
Audit artifacts
Test Results (20% weight) reflect automated and manual test pass rates. Higher passing rates indicate better control effectiveness and fewer remediation needs.
The Progress Dashboard
Access detailed progress tracking from Compliance > Frameworks by clicking on any active framework. The progress dashboard displays:
Overall Completion Percentage
A single number representing your readiness for certification audit. Most organizations pursue formal audits when they reach 90%+ completion.
0-25%: Early implementation, foundation building 26-50%: Active implementation, core controls in place 51-75%: Advanced implementation, evidence gathering 76-90%: Near completion, final refinements 91-100%: Audit-ready, certification eligible
Control Status Breakdown
Visual representation of control states:
Completed (Green): Fully implemented with passing tests and complete evidence
In Progress (Yellow): Partially implemented or missing some evidence
Needs Attention (Red): Failing tests or missing critical evidence
Not Started (Gray): No implementation activity yet
Click any status category to filter and view specific controls in that state.
Evidence Completeness
Shows the ratio of collected evidence to required evidence:
Total evidence items required
Evidence collected automatically via integrations
Evidence uploaded manually
Evidence gaps requiring attention
Test Pass Rate
Displays current automated test results:
Total tests running for this framework
Passing tests (green)
Failing tests (red)
Tests requiring attention (yellow)
Progress Over Time
The progress chart shows your completion percentage over weeks and months, helping you:
Visualize implementation velocity
Identify periods of rapid progress or stalls
Estimate completion dates based on current trajectory
Demonstrate continuous improvement to stakeholders
Control Category Breakdown
Most frameworks organize controls into categories (e.g., Access Control, Encryption, Monitoring). DSALTA shows completion by category:
Access Control: 85% complete (17/20 controls)
Encryption: 100% complete (8/8 controls)
Change Management: 60% complete (6/10 controls)
This breakdown helps you identify which areas need focus and which are complete.
Critical vs. Non-Critical Controls
Not all controls carry equal weight. DSALTA flags critical controls that:
They are mandatory for certification (no exceptions)
Carrying high risk if not implemented
They are commonly scrutinized during audits
Form the foundation for other controls
Focus on critical controls first. The progress dashboard highlights these with priority indicators.
Readiness Assessment
DSALTA provides a readiness score separate from completion percentage. While completion measures implementation, readiness assesses audit preparedness:
Documentation Quality: Are policies clear, comprehensive, and current?
Evidence Strength: Is evidence convincing and well-organized?
Control Consistency: Do controls show sustained effectiveness over time?
Gap Remediation: Are known issues being addressed promptly?
A framework can be 100% complete but only 85% ready if documentation needs improvement or evidence quality is weak.
Tracking Multiple Frameworks
When managing multiple active frameworks, the dashboard shows:
Comparative Progress: Side-by-side completion percentages for all frameworks Shared Controls: Which controls satisfy multiple frameworks
Unique Requirements: Framework-specific controls not shared with others
Overall Compliance Posture: Aggregate view across all frameworks
This helps you allocate resources effectively across multiple certification goals.
Setting Target Dates
Define target completion or audit dates for each framework:
Open the framework detail page
Click Set Target Date
Choose your target audit or certification date
DSALTA calculates the required weekly progress to meet your deadline
Receive alerts if you fall behind schedule
Target dates help maintain momentum and ensure you meet business commitments or customer deadlines.
Progress Reporting
Generate progress reports for stakeholders:
Executive Summary: High-level completion status and timeline
Detailed Control Report: Status of every control with evidence links
Test Results Report: All automated test outcomes
Gap Analysis: Outstanding items and remediation plans
Export reports as PDF or share via secure link with executives, board members, or customers requiring visibility.
Common Progress Patterns
Rapid Initial Progress (0-40%): Integration-automated controls complete quickly Plateau Phase (40-70%): Manual controls and policy work takes longer
Final Push (70-90%): Evidence gathering and gap closure
Refinement Stage (90-100%): Documentation polish and edge case handling
Understanding these patterns helps set realistic expectations.
When to Engage an Auditor
Consider scheduling your certification audit when:
Completion reaches 90%+: You're substantially complete
Tests are consistently passing: 95%+ pass rate for 30+ days
Evidence is organized: All artifacts are accessible and well-documented
Team is confident: Control owners can explain their implementations
Business is ready: You can provide auditor access and time
Engaging auditors too early wastes time and money. DSALTA's readiness assessment helps you time it right.
Continuous Compliance After Certification
Reaching 100% isn't the end—it's the beginning of continuous compliance:
Ongoing Monitoring: Tests continue running to catch drift
Regular Reviews: Controls are reassessed periodically
Evidence Accumulation: New evidence replaces aging artifacts
Annual Audits: Yearly recertification maintains credentials
DSALTA's progress tracking shifts from "implementation mode" to "maintenance mode," focusing on sustained compliance rather than initial achievement.
Addressing Completion Blockers
If progress stalls, identify blockers:
Integration Issues: Are automated tests failing due to connectivity problems? Resource Constraints: Do control owners have time to complete their assignments? Policy Delays: Are policies stuck in review or approval processes?
Technical Gaps: Do missing security tools prevent control implementation?
The progress dashboard highlights these bottlenecks, allowing targeted intervention.
Progress Notifications
DSALTA keeps stakeholders informed:
Weekly progress digests for team members
Milestone achievement celebrations
Alerts when completion velocity slows
Reminders for overdue control assignments
Warnings when target dates are at risk
Configure notification preferences in your account settings.
Next Steps
To maximize progress tracking:
Set target completion dates for each active framework
Review progress weekly with your team
Prioritize controls that impact multiple frameworks
Address failing tests promptly to maintain momentum
Generate stakeholder reports monthly
With clear visibility into progress, you can confidently manage your path to certification.