I recently started a new job where I've been thrown into a tough situation. We've got a compliance deadline fast approaching due to a customer MOU, and I need to set up a separate domain and Google Workspace to meet various compliance standards like NIST 800-171, ISO 27001, CMMC, and FedRAMP. The original plan to use Smartsheet for tracking compliance got stalled due to feature limitations, and I'm now trying to decide if I should push for Jira instead. I need insights from anyone who's been in a similar boat—how did you manage setting up a new environment under pressure? If you've used Smartsheet or spreadsheets in a compliance context, what's your take? Also, what red flags do auditors typically mention when assessing a newly created Workspace for compliance? Any advice would be appreciated!
4 Answers
With everything you're juggling, it's crucial to have support. I'd suggest bringing in a consultant who can directly assist with the compliance efforts. There are folks who specialize in cleaning up messes like this, and they can help offload the pressure. Don’t hesitate to reach out to your network for recommendations! You shouldn’t be expected to handle all this alone, especially when they’re putting you under so much stress. Letting someone else take that burden might be exactly what you need to manage this effectively.
Oh man, sounds like you walked into a bit of a mess! The joke about the "dollar budget" isn't really funny if it reflects their attitude. Leaders often want compliance assurance without actually investing in it. Given your situation, definitely go with Jira over Smartsheet for tracking. Auditors are going to want to see ticket history and approval processes, and Smartsheet just can't deliver that as effectively. Just ensure you document everything well about why you're separating the environments for compliance—it'll help when auditors start asking questions. One major red flag they often raise is when there isn’t a clear change management process, so get something formalized quickly!
Honestly, setting up Jira this quickly might not be realistic. Consider just using a spreadsheet for now—it's not so different from Smartsheet when you're in a pinch. You can outline the controls and document any changes made in a simple format. The key is time; you probably won't have the luxury to learn new tools right now. Just keep what’s necessary to get by while you navigate this compliance transition.
Sorry to hear your situation seems tough! It sounds like you're dealing with a classic case where expectations are high but resources are low. Have there been any compliance measures in place before? If not, it might be worthwhile to communicate with your higher-ups for budget estimates and prioritize getting some project management resources on board. Just remember, if you're pushing for Jira, let the PM manage the timeline issues because you really need something that tracks changes effectively right now.
Right? I didn't expect to start in the middle of this storm. I'll make sure to document everything as best as I can. Thanks for the tip!