# NIST800 53 PM-4 — Plan Of Action And Milestones Process

- Source: https://support.icompaas.com/support/solutions/articles/a_gen_nist80053_pm4_b55142cfe9-nist800-53-pm-4-plan-of-action-and-milestones-process
- Section: [Solutions](https://support.icompaas.com/support/solutions) › [NIST](https://support.icompaas.com/support/solutions/62000112528) › [Program Management](https://support.icompaas.com/support/solutions/folders/f_gen_62000112528_programmanagement)
- Last updated: 2026-05-30
- Publisher: iCompaas, Inc. (https://www.icompaas.com)

NIST800 53 · Control PM-4 · Priority: high · Component: Program Management

### What this control covers

Implement a process to develop, maintain, and report plans of action and milestones for information security, privacy, and supply chain risk management programs. The plans should document remedial actions to address risks and be aligned with organizational risk management strategies and priorities. This control supports the Plan of Action and Milestones (POA&M) Process capability within the Program Management family.

### Why it matters

Risk is the language an executive team understands; this control connects technical reality to board-level decisions and budget allocation.

### How to implement

#### AWS

Codify the policy intent as **SCPs, AWS Config conformance packs, and Security Hub standards** so the cloud enforces what the document says.

#### Azure

Codify in **Azure Policy initiatives** (built-in regulatory compliance for CIS, ISO 27001, SOC 2, HIPAA) and assign at management-group level.

#### Google Workspace

Use **Data Export** (Takeout-style) and **Vault search** to scope DSARs. Apply **Drive labels + DLP** so personal data classes are discoverable.

#### On-premises

Maintain a policy library with a documented review cadence (annual minimum); store in your GRC tool with attestation tracking. Map each policy to controls so an audit pull cites the exact policy clause.

### Evidence to collect

-   `policy_document` — A signed, version-controlled policy stating leadership intent and the named owner.

Signed policy or standard documents the safeguard. Focus: Plan Of Action And Milestones Process.

### Quick checklist

-   Policy — Management / Actions
-   Information — Management / Actions
-   Process — Management / Actions
-   Security — Management / Actions
-   Chain — Management / Actions
-   Control — Management / Actions

### Related articles on this site

-   [NIST 800-171 3.12.2 Develop and implement plans of action designed to correct deficiencies and reduce or eliminate vulnerabilities in organizational systems.](https://support.icompaas.com/support/solutions/articles/62000229331-nist-800-171-3-12-2-develop-and-implement-plans-of-action-designed-to-correct-deficiencies-and-reduce)
-   [NIST 800-171 3.12.4 Develop, document, and periodically update system security plans that describe system boundaries, system environments of operation, how security requirements are implemented, and the relationships with or connections to](https://support.icompaas.com/support/solutions/articles/62000229333-nist-800-171-3-12-4-develop-document-and-periodically-update-system-security-plans-that-describe-sy)
-   [CMMC 2.0 CA.2.159 Develop and implement plans of action designed to correct deficiencies and reduce or eliminate vulnerabilities in organizational systems.](https://support.icompaas.com/support/solutions/articles/62000229713-cmmc-2-0-ca-2-159-develop-and-implement-plans-of-action-designed-to-correct-deficiencies-and-reduce-o)
-   [CMMC 2.0 CA.2.157 Develop, document, and periodically update system security plans that describe system boundaries, system environments of operation, how security requirements are implemented, and the relationships with or connections to ot](https://support.icompaas.com/support/solutions/articles/62000229719-cmmc-2-0-ca-2-157-develop-document-and-periodically-update-system-security-plans-that-describe-syst)

## Related compliance guidance

- [NIST SP 800-53 Rev. 5: a practical implementation guide for cloud teams](https://support.icompaas.com/compliance/nist-sp-800-53-rev-5): How the 800-53 catalogue, baselines and the Risk Management Framework fit together, and which controls take the most work in the cloud.
- [NIST SP 800-171 and CMMC: a practical guide to protecting CUI in the cloud](https://support.icompaas.com/compliance/nist-sp-800-171-rev-3): If the driver is a DoD or federal contract handling CUI, 800-171 (and CMMC) is the scope you actually need.