Why do regulatory documentation efforts cost so much and take so long?
Usually because very little process documentation exists, and this is because of a 1990s decision in Big Business Enterprise, to reduce the necessity of hardcore documentation for processes and product/service support in Corporate America). If you are in an industry that you suspect is about to become regulated (or current regulation changed) by a government edict or law, it would be a good idea to have a documentation audit (gap analysis) to determine what exists, what is missing and what would need to be developed on a general basis to meet a like-regulation effort. The sooner you know where you stand, the sooner you can begin to plan for the future regulatory effort. If you wait to the last minute, you will typically spend more and create more documentation than is needed. You will probably spend “big bucks” on a reputable consulting company who tells you the same thing we are telling you here (only cheaper – free, really). The other end of that spectrum is that you may need a great
