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Comparing ToDos, Actions, and Periodic Review

Ensure you choose the correct task type in SimplerQMS and manage it properly. This helps every record in scope (ToDos and Change Request (CR) actions) be handled consistently and in compliance.

Updated over 2 months ago

Who Is This For?

  • All Users – creating quick reminders or personal tasks

  • CR Owners / Planners – assigning and following up on formal Change Request activities

  • QA / Approvers – verifying completeness and compliance of CR-related tasks

How to Do It?

Step 1: Review the differences at a glance

Use this table to quickly decide which option fits your need.

Attribute

ToDo

CR Action

Periodic Review

Frequency

One-time / ad-hoc

One-time, tied to a Change Request

Recurring, based on configured review cadence

Trigger

Manually created by any user

Created within a Change Request

Automatically created based on entity type configuration

Location of feature

Home → +New

Settings → Change Requests → Actions tab

Assignment

Creator is auto assigned (cannot delegate at creation)

Assigned manually to one or more users

Assigned automatically based on document owner.

Completion

Marked as Completed in My Work Dashboard

Marked as Completed from Dashboard or CR

Marked as Completed in My Work Dashboard

Requires Signature

No

Depends on CR workflow and configuration

Configurable based on entity type configuration

Use Cases

Quick reminders or personal tasks

Formal follow-up tasks linked to CRs

Scheduled compliance checks and ongoing document or record reviews

📝Common decision examples

  • Example 1: “Remind me to attach lab photo evidence” → ToDo

  • Example 2: “Perform verification after implementing SOP update in CR-0123” → CR Action


Step 2: Use a ToDo when you need a quick, personal reminder

Create a To-Do if the task is simple, ad-hoc, and not part of a formal change process.

  • Go to Home → +New → ToDo

  • The creator is automatically assigned as the assignee.

  • Mark as complete from Home > My Work Dashboard when done.

💡 Tip: Use clear, action-oriented titles (e.g., “Verify label text on batch 2025-07”).

📎 Reference: Managing ToDos


Step 3: Use a CR Action for change-related follow-up

Choose a CR Action when the task must be tracked as part of a Change Request with governance and (potential) signatures.

  • Create as part of a CR: open the CR and add actions on the Actions tab.

  • Assign one or more users and due dates.

  • Mark as complete from Home > My Work Dashboard or directly within the CR (Actions tab) when done.

Compliance reminder: Do not use ToDos to replace required CR actions. CR Actions maintain traceability and follow the CR’s approval and signature rules.

📎 References:


Step 4: Use Periodic Review for scheduled, recurring compliance checks

Use Periodic Reviews to keep documents and records current based on predefined cadences.

  • Ensure the entity type configuration has the correct review cadence and signature settings.

  • Reviews are created automatically and assigned based on the document’s Responsible Person (RP).

  • Complete the review from Home → My Work Dashboard → Mark as Completed.

💡 Tip: Set review frequencies to match regulatory expectations for your document class (e.g., SOPs every 24 months).

📎 References:

Managing Periodic Reviews


Tips

  • 💡 If the task impacts validated processes, regulated documents, or product quality, use a CR Action.

  • 💡 Keep ToDos lightweight. If others must collaborate or you need auditability, create a CR Action.

  • 💡 Use clear due dates and assignees for CR Actions to avoid bottlenecks.

What’s Next?

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