> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.ruler.nl/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.ruler.nl/control-measures.md).

# Control measures

The library of your organisation's policies, procedures and controls, and how to keep it useful.

**Control measures** is the library of everything your organisation has in place to comply: policies, procedures, controls and key controls. Recording them in Ruler serves one purpose: it lets you show, per topic and per risk, how you intend to be compliant, by linking the measure to the standard it covers.

You only see control measures that are visible to the department you are working in.

## The library

Each row in the library is one measure, with an icon for its type and the number of topics and tasks linked to it. When the library grows, use the search bar or the **Filter** button to narrow it by:

* **Status**
* **Topics** the measure is linked to
* **Risk assessment** the measure is used in
* **Type of control measure**: control, key control, policy or procedure

<figure><img src="https://3147355061-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F6EN6kULBhEjCcyc8iw1L%2Fuploads%2FYoKDiXCgkZfSvKi0r6fY%2Fcontrol-measures-library-filter.png?alt=media&amp;token=74be7dc9-3e83-486d-802a-79543eb5d145" alt=""><figcaption><p>The control measure library with the filter open</p></figcaption></figure>

## Adding a control measure

Click **+ New control measure** and fill in the title, type, description, starting date, revision date and who is responsible. Under **Visibility** you choose which departments may see the measure (**Only this department** by default). A department that cannot see the measure cannot use it in a risk assessment or in a design and effectiveness assessment, so set visibility with that in mind. Click **Save**, or **Save and select topics** to link the measure to topics straight away.

<figure><img src="https://3147355061-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F6EN6kULBhEjCcyc8iw1L%2Fuploads%2Fes0G5SVcsqXepT3qdI8B%2Fcontrol-measure-new-form.png?alt=media&amp;token=1c6da7b5-3781-4efc-a6b8-f3c75a726a89" alt=""><figcaption><p>Adding a control measure</p></figcaption></figure>

Click a measure to open its detail page. See [The control measure page](/control-measures/control-measure-page.md).

{% hint style="success" %}
**Ruler in practice**

The library is only as good as its upkeep. Whenever a policy or procedure is introduced or changed, update the library, and then check whether the change affects anything else in Ruler: a design and effectiveness assessment that relies on the measure, or a risk assessment that uses it to mitigate a risk.
{% endhint %}