Still Tracking AI Controls in Excel? There’s a Better Way to Do ISO 42001

If you’re managing ISO 42001 in Excel, I get it.

Even organisations with mature ISO 27001 or SOC 2 programmes suddenly find themselves back at square one when it comes to AI governance. Not because their existing processes aren’t good — but because an AI Management System (AIMS) introduces an entirely new set of moving parts: dynamic models, evolving datasets, ethical considerations, transparency logs, human oversight records, and continuous monitoring.

ISO 42001 isn’t just another line on the compliance roadmap.

It’s the first international standard focused entirely on AI governance, and it expects organisations to manage the entire AI lifecycle responsibly, ethically, and with a level of structure that quickly surpasses what a spreadsheet can realistically handle.

That’s the real challenge:

AI technologies change constantly. Spreadsheets don’t.

ISO 42001 automation isn’t about replacing people — it’s about helping teams govern AI responsibly, maintain compliance efficiently, and avoid the endless admin that slows everything down.

As someone who helps customers implement ISO 27001, SOC 2, NIST and now ISO 42001 every day, here’s the truth:

Excel will get you started.

It will not get you certified, audit-ready, or future-proof.

Why ISO 42001 Demands More Than Manual Tracking

ISO 42001 introduces a structured framework for managing artificial intelligence safely, ethically, and transparently. It defines how organisations should:

• Identify and assess AI-related risks
• Apply appropriate security controls
• Maintain oversight of AI systems
• Ensure responsible development and deployment
• Protect sensitive data
• Establish accountability
• Demonstrate continuous monitoring and continuous improvement

Where older frameworks focus primarily on information security, ISO 42001 focuses on AI governance, trust, and real-world impact.

It integrates principles from the EU AI Act, global regulatory frameworks, and ethical AI guidelines — creating a comprehensive framework for managing artificial intelligence responsibly.

This is why manual methods fall short: AI governance requires ongoing monitoring, not periodic updates. Excel simply isn’t built for that.

The Limits of Manual ISO 42001 Compliance

Most customers I speak to start with two or three tabs:

• AI system register
• Risk assessments
• Controls mapping

Within a few months, they’re managing:

• evidence collection
• recurring oversight activities
• transparency logs
• impact assessments
• policy reviews
• corrective actions
• internal audits
• external audit preparation
• compliance status tracking
• documentation updates
• lifecycle records
• training logs
• security controls
• cross-framework alignment

Excel buckles under that fast.

1. Version control becomes a compliance risk

No matter how well-intentioned your process is, someone always ends up working in the wrong file.
For an AI governance framework based on traceability, this becomes a serious oversight issue.

2. Risk assessments aren’t consistent

Risk assessment models must remain uniform across all AI systems.

Manual methods almost always drift — different teams, different scoring, different interpretations.

ISO 42001 expects clear guidelines, consistent methodologies, and repeatable processes.

3. Evidence collection is scattered and fragile

Screenshots, emails, meeting notes, logs, test results — ISO 42001 requires structured evidence to demonstrate that AI systems are:

• secure
• ethical
• monitored
• well controlled
• aligned with organisational policies

Manual collection leads to missing data and incomplete audit trails.

4. Human oversight is hard to document manually

Oversight is one of the key components of ISO 42001.

You must demonstrate that AI decisions can be explained, reviewed, and challenged.

Excel can’t:

• timestamp approvals
• record escalations
• maintain logs
• map responsibility
• link oversight to controls

An AI Management System needs real structure.

5. Continuous monitoring can’t be done manually

AI doesn’t sit still.

Models drift, behaviours change, datasets evolve, and new risks emerge.

A spreadsheet can’t send reminders, track cycles, or flag overdue monitoring.

What ISO 42001 Automation Actually Solves

When organisations switch from spreadsheets to a single platform for AI governance, several things immediately improve:

1. A centralised AI Management System (AIMS)

ISO/IEC 42001 requires a complete Artificial Intelligence Management System.

Automation makes that achievable: all controls, risks, evidence, policies, and monitoring in one place.

2. Standardised AI risk assessments

• consistent scoring
• automated reminders
• linked controls
• evidence captured in context
• audit-ready documentation

No more “whose version is this?” moments.

3. Human oversight workflows

ISO 42001 emphasises accountability.

Automation provides:

• approval flows
• review logs
• timestamps
• escalation routes
• clear ownership

Something spreadsheets will never offer.

4. Continuous monitoring made realistic

You define the schedule.
The platform ensures it actually happens.

That means:

• drift checks
• system reviews
• risk reassessments
• policy updates
• transparency obligations
• lifecycle reviews

…all tracked and evidenced.

5. Audit readiness — without the scramble

When your entire AIMS is mapped and maintained in one platform, the external audit becomes significantly smoother.

Auditors aren’t looking for perfection.

They’re looking for:

• accountability
• documented procedures
• structured frameworks
• repeatability
• control
• transparency

Automation provides exactly that.

Manual vs. Automated ISO 42001 Compliance: The Clear Comparison