CMMC Level 2 Templates for POA&M, Evidence Logs, and Reviews 2025

Templates You Actually Need for CMMC Level 2: POA&M, Evidence Logs, and Periodic Reviews

Key Takeaways

• Master these three core templates to streamline your CMMC Level 2 compliance: the Plan of Actions and Milestones (POA&M), the Evidence Log, and the Periodic Review Schedule.

• The POA&M documents security gaps and remediation plans, the Evidence Log tracks proof of compliance, and the Periodic Review Schedule ensures ongoing oversight of key controls.

• Using these templates effectively bridges your security policies with day-to-day operations and the expectations of assessors, reducing assessment stress and risk.

Introduction

Preparing for CMMC Level 2 can quickly become overwhelming for defense contractors. Endless spreadsheets, binders bursting with documentation, and intricate checklists create a daunting compliance maze. However, the secret to managing this complexity is surprisingly simple: you only need three right templates.

The Plan of Actions and Milestones (POA&M), Evidence Log, and Periodic Review Schedule form the compliance backbone that connects your System Security Plan (SSP) with your daily security practices and assessor expectations.

This article unpacks why these three templates are indispensable, how they work together, and how to use them efficiently so your organization can confidently meet CMMC Level 2 requirements.

Plan of Actions and Milestones (POA&M): Your Roadmap for Gap Closure

What Is a POA&M and Why Does It Matter?

In the context of CMMC and NIST 800-171, a POA&M is the centralized document where you record all unmet security requirements, outline how you plan to remediate them, and commit to specific milestones and deadlines. According to federal regulation 32 CFR Part 170, contractors can obtain a Conditional Level 2 status by achieving at least 80% of the 110 required NIST 800-171 controls and placing any remaining "NOT MET" requirements into a POA&M. These gaps must be resolved within 180 days followed by verification (see more about conditional status).

Beyond compliance, the POA&M is a key risk management instrument. It signals to assessors that your organization is actively managing security risks and working toward closing deficiencies.

"Each open POA&M item represents points lost in your NIST 800-171 assessment score."

Scoring and Closing Gaps

Your NIST 800-171 score must reach a minimum of 88 points out of 110 to qualify for conditional status. Items documented in the POA&M are effectively recognized as gaps you will fix soon. But missing the 180-day closure deadline is a deal-breaker and causes loss of eligibility for DoD contracts.

Incorporating Risk Acceptance

Sometimes immediate remediation is not feasible. In these cases, formally document Risk Acceptance within the POA&M, noting the approver, rationale, and a clear expiration date. Remember, risk acceptance is always temporary and must eventually transition to remediation or compensating controls.

Tie Back to Governance

Strong POA&M entries reference exact sections within your System Security Plan (SSP) and relevant policies or procedures such as identification and authentication controls. This creates transparent traceability and credibility during assessments.

What Assessors Expect to See

• Clear descriptions of each identified gap

• Realistic milestones with firm dates

• Direct evidence supporting closure efforts

• Consistency with SSP and governance documents

For a detailed template and implementation guide, check out the POA&M Template Guide.

Evidence Logs: Demonstrating Traceability and Proof

Why Is Evidence Tracking Critical?

An Evidence Log keeps your compliance artifacts organized and easily accessible. Assessors require proof that you have implemented the documented controls, and each NIST 800-171 control should link to tangible evidence. Without a log, validation can become chaotic and time-consuming.

Maintaining Integrity and Chain of Custody

• Store evidence in platforms that maintain version history such as SharePoint or compliant SaaS tools

• Include fields like “Last Validated By” and “Date” to show ongoing accountability

• Clearly label documents containing Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and apply proper data protections

Integration Into Governance

Every piece of evidence should connect to the related SSP section and organizational policies, making your evidence log a core part of your governance system.

Continuous Monitoring

Regularly reviewing the evidence log is vital. Incorporate a “Review Cadence” column to track when items are reviewed, and schedule monthly compliance meetings to update the log.

What Assessors Will Check

• Evidence is consistently linked to controls

• Records include current dates and identifiable owners

• Version history shows no tampering

• CUI documents are appropriately marked and secured

Find a sample template and examples here: Evidence Log Template.

Periodic Review Schedule: Keeping Compliance Everlasting

Why Periodic Reviews Often Fail

Many contractors pass initial assessments only to fail later because they miss recurring requirements. NIST SP 800-171 demands regular reviews of user accounts, incident response plans, audit logs, risk assessments, and more.

Assessors will ask for recent, dated proof of these activities. Absence of such records results in control failures.

Recommended Review Frequencies

Event-Driven Reviews

Reviews should also be triggered by significant events like system upgrades, security incidents, or company mergers. Documenting these demonstrates a mature, proactive approach.

Cross-Reference With Policies

Each periodic review entry should cite the applicable policy or procedure, proving reviews happen as required and not randomly.

Monitoring and Governance

Use a shared compliance calendar or a Governance-Risk-Compliance (GRC) tool to track scheduled reviews, and cover their status in governance meetings.

Assessors Will Look For

• Dated records such as sign-off sheets or audit logs

• Clear ownership and accountability

• Evidence of both scheduled reviews and event-triggered reviews

Explore a detailed register here: Periodic Reviews Register.

Supporting Templates and Checklists

NIST 800-171 covers 14 control families with policies, procedures, and technical requirements. Using a policy-procedure-tool checklist helps verify that every family has thorough documentation, appropriate tools, and logged evidence.

Smaller contractors benefit from lightweight checklists, while larger firms may require detailed versions to cover multiple environments.

Practical Tips for Using These Templates Daily

• Designate responsible owners for each core template: POA&M, Evidence Log, and Periodic Reviews.

• Integrate these into your existing ticketing systems such as Jira or ServiceNow for visibility and accountability.

• Review these templates regularly in monthly IT or security meetings to keep compliance current.

Managing Templates: Spreadsheets vs SaaS Solutions

Many teams start with spreadsheets for simplicity, then shift to SaaS platforms as their programs mature and needs grow. Integrating with SIEM tools can enhance logging and monitoring capabilities that support evidence collection (more siem requirements here).

Conclusion

CMMC Level 2 readiness does not mean drowning in paperwork. Focus on mastering three essential templates:

1. POA&M: Transparently map and manage control gaps.
2. Evidence Log: Provide clear proof of implementation.
3. Periodic Review Schedule: Maintain continuous discipline and meet recurring control requirements.

These artifacts do more than pass audits—they build a living, breathing compliance program that supports your security posture.

For contractors seeking to simplify CMMC Level 2 compliance management, signing up for the CMMC Dashboard provides automated tracking of POA&M items, evidence logs, and periodic review schedules. This platform reduces manual effort and helps maintain continuous compliance with DoD requirements.

"Stop reinventing templates from scratch. Take advantage of proven templates or SaaS platforms like the CMMC Dashboard that automate POA&M tracking, evidence logging, and periodic review scheduling. Spend less time chasing documents and more time improving your cybersecurity."