Mastering Document Review Flow: A Smarter Way to Stay Compliant

Feb 12, 2025
Amanda Boyle

Let’s talk about something that isn’t flashy but makes a real difference—compliance. You know the struggle if you manage vendors, contracts, or insurance documents. It’s not just about keeping track of paperwork; it’s about staying ahead of deadlines, avoiding legal risks, and ensuring smooth operations.

At the heart of compliance are organization, efficiency, and risk mitigation. Falling behind isn’t an option—it’s a liability. Whether you’re an operations manager, a compliance officer, or part of a growing company scaling your vendor network, staying in control of document review is critical.

But here’s the thing—compliance doesn’t have to be a constant source of stress. TrustLayer's Document Review Flow simplifies the process so you can focus on the bigger picture instead of drowning in document chaos.

Let’s break it down in a way that fits your day-to-day reality.

Who Benefits from This?

Picture this: You’re an operations manager at a fast-growing construction company. Your team is juggling multiple vendors, each with different compliance requirements. Every project has a pile of COIs, W-9s, and contracts that need reviewing, tracking, and updating. One missed document can mean delays, fines, or liability issues.

Or maybe you’re in risk management for a large enterprise, and auditing vendor documents feels like an endless cycle of follow-ups. The bigger your network, the harder it gets to keep everything aligned. That’s where TrustLayer steps in.

The goal isn’t just to check off boxes—it’s about protecting your business, saving time, and reducing headaches. By streamlining compliance, you improve efficiency, mitigate risks, and maintain a clear audit trail, which matters when regulatory bodies or legal teams come knocking.

Understanding Document Review Entry Points

Different users have different workflows, and TrustLayer provides multiple entry points to access document review. Whether you prefer tackling compliance tasks in bulk or working through one party at a time, there’s an approach that fits your style.

  1. Dashboard Access – The Review Documents button on the dashboard is the fastest way to dive into document review. It provides a focused workflow where you can process as many documents as needed in one session.
  2. Party-Based Review – If working party-by-party makes more sense, you can navigate to the Parties Tab, filter for documents requiring review, and work through each vendor one at a time.
  3. Project-Based Review – For users managing compliance on a project level, documents can be filtered within a project view, allowing you to focus on compliance related to a specific job.

By using these entry points strategically, you can ensure no document slips through the cracks.

How to Review a Document Without Wasting Time

No one likes repetitive, manual work. Document review should be straightforward, not a scavenger hunt. Yet, many businesses still struggle with disorganized file storage, missing documents, and inefficient review processes. Here’s how to streamline it:

Step-by-Step Guide to Reviewing Documents

  1. Log into Your Dashboard – Click Dashboard in the sidebar and find the Documents To Review section.
  2. Identify What Needs Action – This section highlights unreviewed documents, giving you a clear starting point.
  3. Begin the Review – Click Review Documents to access the review page.
  4. Verify Key Information:
    • Document Information: Ensure names and broker details are correct.
    • Insurance Information: Double-check carrier names and NAIC numbers.
    • Extracted Fields: TrustLayer pulls data automatically but always verifies.
  5. Check Requirement Groups:
    • Expiration Dates – Are they correct and up-to-date?
    • Carrier and Policy Numbers – TrustLayer auto-fills, but you can adjust them if needed.
    • Requirement Status (Blue, Green, Red Dots):
      • Blue: Matched in another document.
      • Green: Found in this document.
      • Red: Missing—needs attention.
  6. Final Check & Approval – Ensure accuracy, click Save All, and mark as Reviewed.

Efficiency Boosters

  • Flags for Priority Issues – Mark documents for additional review or escalation.
  • Automated Expiry Alerts – TrustLayer notifies you before documents expire.
  • Bulk Review Function – Save time by handling multiple documents at once.
  • Audit-Ready Documentation – Maintain a clear trail of reviewed and compliant documents.

Advanced Tips for Document Organization

  • Use the Editing Pencil – Rename documents for clarity, ensuring they match the associated party.
  • Tag Documents to Projects – If a document is project-specific, disable “Applies to All Projects” and link it accordingly.
  • Utilize Internal Notes & Highlights – Use TrustLayer’s annotation tools to add notes directly to documents, keeping internal discussions in one place.
  • Assign Ownership – Ensure the right team members are responsible for document review to avoid bottlenecks.

How to Upload and Archive Documents Efficiently

Uploading Documents

  1. Go to Parties or Documents in the sidebar.
  2. Click Upload Documents – Drag and drop files or browse your system.
  3. Assign the Correct Document Type – COIs are auto-identified; others default to Generic Documents.
  4. Verify & Save – Confirm details and finalize the upload.

Archiving Documents

  1. Select the Documents – Identify inactive or outdated files.
  2. Click Archive – Choose single or bulk archiving.
  3. Confirm the Action – Store the document securely without cluttering active records.

Taking the Headache Out of Compliance

Managing compliance documentation isn’t glamorous, but it’s essential. With TrustLayer, you can:

  • Automate compliance tracking and eliminate manual errors.
  • Save time by reducing repetitive tasks and follow-ups.
  • Stay ahead of expirations with proactive alerts.
  • Keep teams aligned with an intuitive, organized system.
  • Be Audit-Ready Anytime – Ensure all documents are stored, reviewed, and accessible for reporting.

Compliance is a responsibility that businesses can’t afford to neglect. It impacts risk, efficiency, and, ultimately, trust. The good news? There’s a better way to manage it.

If you’re tired of chasing down paperwork and dealing with compliance gaps, it’s time to move forward. Explore TrustLayer today and see how it simplifies document management for teams like yours.

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