RSAWs are the work papers used by NERC and Regional teams to understand and evaluate an entity’s compliance position and provided evidence for specific Reliability Standards. Entities are required to provide a narrative of how compliance was met during the monitoring period, along with evidence used to support the compliance narrative. The RSAW accomplishes this by being a roadmap that outlines how an Entity complies with a NERC Reliability Standard. It identifies the Who, What, Why, When, Where and How. Who is responsible for the Standard, What the Entity is doing to achieve Compliance, Why they perform certain tasks, When the tasks are completed, Where these activities took place, and how they were performed.
RSAWs are also a great guide for training. You should be able to read the RSAW and understand how the Entity approaches compliance with the Standard. If someone leaves their position or is not available, a co-worker or supervisor should be able to read the RSAW and determine the process and see the results.
RSAWs are used for a variety of compliance activities including audits, self-certifications, and spot checks, as well as internal activities to perform annual assessments and to track and maintain compliance documentation. PCS offers assistance in reviewing an entity’s prepared RSAWS and can provide recommendations to strengthen and clarify the compliance narrative and supporting evidence. PCS also develops template RSAWs using information and evidence provided by the entity that help prepare that organization for its next compliance monitoring activity.
Benefits
An RSAW, or Reliability Standard Audit Worksheet, is a work paper used by NERC and Regional auditors to evaluate an entity’s compliance with specific Reliability Standards. It includes a narrative and supporting evidence showing how compliance requirements were met.
RSAWs serve as a roadmap for demonstrating compliance. A well-written RSAW helps auditors quickly understand who is responsible, what actions were taken, why they were necessary, and how compliance was achieved—reducing audit requests and streamlining the process.
The NERC ERT is now required for CIP audits and other compliance monitoring activities. While RSAWs provide a narrative overview, the ERT focuses on structured evidence submissions. PCS recommends using both tools together for clear, complete compliance documentation.
Yes. RSAWs are excellent training tools because they outline the compliance process in detail. If someone leaves a role, a colleague can review the RSAW and understand the responsibilities, tasks, and results needed to maintain compliance.
PCS reviews existing RSAWs, provides recommendations to strengthen narratives, and develops templates tailored to your compliance needs. Their guidance helps organizations reduce audit risks, stay prepared year-round, and maintain a strong compliance posture.
Keeping RSAWs updated ensures your organization is always audit-ready. Benefits include fewer data requests during audits, faster auditor reviews, and a clear picture of compliance practices that strengthens your overall internal compliance program.
