Governance
Define ownership, decision authorities, escalation paths, and meeting cadence. Include officer names, contact information, and delegated authorities to ensure decisions during incidents are documented and traceable.
Using a Business Well Template standardizes documentation of operational risks and approvals, supports auditability, and creates a single source of record. When signed electronically under ESIGN (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) or state UETA laws, it is legally enforceable for most business transactions.
The Business Well Template is completed by several organizational roles to capture cross-functional commitments and approvals.
Completed templates circulate among stakeholders for review, retention, and inclusion in periodic audits or regulatory submissions.
Define ownership, decision authorities, escalation paths, and meeting cadence. Include officer names, contact information, and delegated authorities to ensure decisions during incidents are documented and traceable.
List identified risks with likelihood and impact ratings, mitigation actions, owners, target dates, and status updates. Include risk scoring methodology and links to supporting assessments or audit findings.
Document key processes, control owners, testing frequency, and evidence locations. Include exception reporting procedures and change-control notes to demonstrate ongoing control effectiveness.
Map applicable laws and regulations, compliance tasks, responsible parties, and evidence of completion. Note HIPAA, FERPA, or industry-specific mandates where relevant.
Track KPIs such as uptime, incident response time, financial variances, and remediation backlog. Include baseline targets, reporting periods, and data sources for verification.
Signature blocks, dates, and role titles for reviewers and approvers. Include fields for electronic signature methods and audit-trail references to support enforceability under ESIGN/UETA.
| Workflow Field and Configuration Setting | Configuration for online routing and automation |
|---|---|
| Routing Order and Signer Sequence | Sequential or parallel signer routing |
| Authentication Method and Strength Level | Email, SMS, or KBA options |
| Field Validation and Conditional Logic | Required fields, conditional visibility, formulas |
| Reminder Schedule and Escalation Rules | Set automatic reminders and escalation timelines |
| Storage Location and Retention Policy | Save to cloud storage with retention tags |
Make sure the platform supports secure uploads, configurable workflows, and audit trails compatible with legal recordkeeping.
Save a flattened PDF/A version for long-term archival. Ensure embedded signatures remain visible and that the audit trail is exported alongside the document for evidentiary use.
Keep an editable DOCX copy for internal revisions, with version control and a clear change log to prevent confusion between drafts and executed documents.
Export any tables or trackers as CSV or Excel for analysis and import into ERP or reporting tools; include field mappings in metadata.
Create a ZIP containing signed documents, evidence files, and the audit certificate; label with document ID and storage location for retrieval.
7–14 days recommended for stakeholder review
Set at least 3 business days before external submission
Follow agency-specific deadlines when submissions are required
Begins on effective date or signature date
Allow 30–60 days to assemble complete evidence package
Create initial template and assemble supporting documentation.
Cross-functional review and requested changes documented.
Signatures obtained and audit trail preserved.
Archive executed copy and notify stakeholders.
Martin Properties standardized closing workflows using the Business Well Template to collect approvals and archive binding documents electronically.
A healthcare provider used the template to centralize consents, approvals, and integration with clinical systems for better recordkeeping.
| signNow | DocuSign | Adobe Sign | PandaDoc | HelloSign | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $8/user/mo | $15/user/mo | $14/user/mo | $19/user/mo | $15/user/mo |
| Free Trial | 7-day free trial | Varies by vendor | Varies by vendor | Varies by vendor | Varies by vendor |
| Bulk Send | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Audit Trail | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| HIPAA Compliant | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Envelope Cap | No envelope cap | 100 envelopes/user/year | Varies by plan | Varies by plan | Varies by plan |