One of the principles we learn from LEAN is that:
If you can't see it you can't improve it.
We also talk about going to the GEMBA (scene of the crime) to walk and see the value stream while engaging those that contribute to it in problem solving and improvement.
We need to do the same for compliance.
Unfortunately, for many companies compliance is mostly buried and remains hidden within policies, procedures, and administrative processes. No wonder companies find compliance difficult to improve.
If you can't see the process you can't improve it.
It's time to return to the GEMBA of compliance, to walk the compliance stream, and engage those that help improve staying between the lines.
However, to do this you need to know where it is; compliance needs to be visible.
The first step is to identify all your obligations which will in turn help you to know what the goals and objectives are, what is critical to compliance, the risks that need to be addressed, and the controls that are needed to increase the certainty of achieving your outcomes.
Creating a "Compliance Map" is one of the ways that will help you see better so you can create your improvement roadmap to escape the vicious reactive cycle and experience the benefits of the virtuous proactive cycle.