Audit Trails in Grant Software

Audit trails capture who changed what and when, providing assurance that grants are managed lawfully and fairly.

• Decisions, comments and edits should be timestamped.
• Access logs show who viewed sensitive data.
• Exports support audits and transparency reports.

What to log

Keep logs comprehensive but readable.

• Application edits, scores and conflicts.
• Agreement versions, payments and changes.
• Report submissions and follow‑up actions.

Key takeaway: if it affects a decision, log it.

Using logs for learning

Beyond assurance, logs help teams improve.

• Identify bottlenecks and common clarifications.
• Calibrate reviewers using examples.
• Evidence for proportionate adjustments to controls.

Key takeaway: Plinth turns trails into insights.

Sharing with stakeholders

Boards and the public may need different levels of detail.

• Internal logs for assurance; summaries for publication.
• Redact personal data where appropriate.
• Provide context to avoid misinterpretation.

Key takeaway: transparency builds trust without exposing sensitive data.

FAQs

Are logs tamper‑proof?

They should be immutable and backed up; Plinth retains history for audit.

How long to keep logs?

Follow your retention schedule and legal advice.

Can applicants see decisions?

Share clear outcome notes and feedback, not internal deliberations.