A comprehensive standard operating procedure template designed to support organizations in implementing the MAP function of the NIST AI Risk Management Framework, providing structured guidance for establishing AI system context, categorization, capabilities assessment, component risk mapping, and impact characterization.
NIST MAP Function SOP
Designed to support AI governance teams in implementing systematic procedures for mapping AI risks, establishing system context, and characterizing impacts throughout the AI lifecycle.
[Download Now – $5.00]
What This Template Provides
This Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) template provides detailed, step-by-step procedures for implementing the MAP function of the NIST AI Risk Management Framework. The template includes five comprehensive procedure sections covering context establishment (MAP-01), system categorization (MAP-02), capabilities and benefits assessment (MAP-03), component risk mapping (MAP-04), and impact characterization (MAP-05). Organizations can customize this template by replacing bracketed placeholders with organization-specific information, adapting role assignments based on internal structure, and tailoring procedures to match existing governance frameworks.
The template is designed to save implementation time by providing pre-structured procedures, deliverable templates, and RACI matrices that organizations would otherwise need to develop from scratch. Rather than starting with a blank page, teams can adapt proven frameworks to their specific organizational context and compliance requirements.
Key Benefits
✓ Provides comprehensive framework for implementing all five MAP function subcategories aligned with NIST AI RMF official guidance
✓ Includes detailed RACI matrices defining clear roles and responsibilities across AI System Owners, Technical Leads, Risk Teams, Legal/Compliance, and Domain Experts
✓ Contains structured deliverable requirements for each MAP procedure including context documents, categorization reports, risk matrices, and impact assessments
✓ Supports systematic approach to AI system context establishment, categorization, capabilities assessment, component risk mapping, and impact characterization
✓ Designed for customization with bracketed placeholders and adaptable procedures organizations can tailor to their governance structure
✓ Facilitates documentation through referenced template frameworks for each deliverable and procedure step
Who Uses This?
Designed for:
- AI Governance Teams establishing or enhancing NIST AI RMF implementation
- Compliance Officers responsible for AI risk documentation and procedures
- Risk Management Professionals implementing systematic AI risk mapping
- AI System Owners requiring structured approaches to context establishment and impact assessment
- Organizations seeking to standardize MAP function procedures across multiple AI systems
What’s Included
This downloadable template includes the complete Standard Operating Procedure document covering:
- Purpose, scope, and related documents sections
- Comprehensive roles and responsibilities table
- Five detailed MAP procedures (MAP-01 through MAP-05) with step-by-step instructions
- Deliverable specifications for each procedure
- Document control, version history, and approver sections
- Customizable placeholders throughout for organizational adaptation
Document Format: Microsoft Word (.docx) optimized for collaborative editing and organizational customization.
Why This Matters
Organizations implementing AI systems face increasing pressure to demonstrate responsible AI governance aligned with recognized frameworks like the NIST AI Risk Management Framework. The MAP function represents a critical component of this framework, providing the foundation for understanding AI system context, identifying potential risks and impacts, and establishing the basis for subsequent measurement and management activities.
Without structured procedures for the MAP function, organizations often struggle with inconsistent risk identification across different AI systems, incomplete context documentation that fails to capture critical deployment considerations, and inadequate impact characterization that overlooks important stakeholder perspectives. These gaps can lead to unidentified risks materializing during deployment, compliance challenges when regulatory scrutiny increases, and erosion of stakeholder trust when AI systems produce unexpected outcomes.
This Standard Operating Procedure template addresses these challenges by providing detailed implementation guidance based on the NIST AI RMF framework. Rather than interpreting the framework’s guidance from scratch, organizations can adapt proven procedures that align with NIST’s recommendations while customizing for their specific operational context and governance structure.
Framework Alignment
This SOP template is designed to support implementation of the following framework requirements:
- NIST AI Risk Management Framework (AI RMF 1.0): Provides detailed procedures for the five MAP function subcategories as defined in the official NIST framework documentation
- ISO/IEC 42001 AI Management System: MAP procedures can support organizations implementing AI management system requirements for context establishment and risk assessment
- OECD AI Principles: Context establishment and impact characterization procedures align with principles of transparency, accountability, and human-centered values
Key Features
The template includes features mapped directly to the document structure and content:
Comprehensive MAP Function Coverage
- Five detailed procedure sections covering all MAP subcategories: Context Establishment (MAP-01), System Categorization (MAP-02), Capabilities Assessment (MAP-03), Component Risk Mapping (MAP-04), and Impact Characterization (MAP-05)
Clear Role Definitions
- Detailed roles and responsibilities table specifying accountability for AI System Owners, Product Managers, Technical Leads, AI Risk Teams, Legal/Compliance Teams, Domain Experts, Stakeholder Representatives, and AI Governance Leads
Structured Procedure Steps
- Step-by-step instructions for each MAP procedure including specific actions, required analysis, documentation requirements, and approval workflows
Comprehensive Deliverable Specifications
- Explicit deliverable requirements for each procedure including context documents, technical specifications, risk maps, impact assessments, categorization reports, and supporting analyses
Customization Guidance
- Bracketed placeholders throughout the document for organization name, template references, team structures, approval authorities, and governance processes
Integration with Other Functions
- References to related GOVERN, MEASURE, and MANAGE function SOPs supporting comprehensive NIST AI RMF implementation
Built-in Quality Controls
- Document control section with review schedules, distribution requirements, version history tracking, and approver sign-off tables
Risk-Based Approach
- Procedures incorporate risk categorization (High, Medium, Low) to tailor oversight requirements and resource allocation appropriately
Comparison: Generic Approach vs. Professional Template
| Aspect | Generic Approach | NIST MAP Function SOP Template |
|---|---|---|
| Procedure Coverage | Organizations interpret NIST guidance independently, potentially missing key steps or misapplying framework concepts | Provides detailed procedures for all five MAP subcategories with explicit step-by-step instructions aligned with NIST AI RMF |
| Role Clarity | Roles and responsibilities often undefined or inconsistently applied across AI systems | Includes comprehensive RACI matrix defining clear accountability for eight key roles across all MAP procedures |
| Deliverable Definition | Teams determine required documentation ad-hoc, leading to inconsistent outputs | Specifies 40+ deliverables across the five MAP procedures with explicit requirements for each |
| Customization Guidance | Starting from blank templates requires significant time investment to structure procedures | Provides pre-structured template with bracketed placeholders for efficient organizational adaptation |
| Framework Integration | Procedures may not align properly with other NIST AI RMF functions | Designed with explicit references to GOVERN, MEASURE, and MANAGE functions supporting comprehensive implementation |
| Quality Assurance | Documentation controls and approval processes developed separately | Includes built-in document control, version management, and approver sections |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is included in this template? A: This template includes a complete Standard Operating Procedure document for implementing the MAP function of the NIST AI Risk Management Framework. It covers five detailed procedures (MAP-01 through MAP-05), roles and responsibilities, deliverable specifications, and document control sections. The template is provided in Microsoft Word format with customizable placeholders throughout. Documents are optimized for Microsoft Word and Excel to ensure proper formatting and collaborative editing capabilities.
Q: Do I need to purchase separate templates for each MAP subcategory? A: No. This single template includes comprehensive procedures for all five MAP function subcategories: Context Establishment (MAP-01), System Categorization (MAP-02), Capabilities Assessment (MAP-03), Component Risk Mapping (MAP-04), and Impact Characterization (MAP-05).
Q: Can this template be used for any type of AI system? A: The template is designed to support MAP function implementation across different types of AI systems. The procedures include risk categorization guidance (High, Medium, Low) that allows organizations to tailor the rigor of activities based on system characteristics and potential impacts. Organizations should adapt the procedures based on their specific AI system contexts and risk profiles.
Q: Does this template replace the need for the official NIST AI RMF documentation? A: No. This SOP template is designed to support implementation of the NIST AI RMF framework but does not replace the official NIST documentation. Organizations should reference the official NIST AI Risk Management Framework (NIST AI 100-1) alongside this template to ensure proper understanding of framework principles and guidance.
Q: What customization is required? A: The template includes bracketed placeholders throughout that organizations should replace with their specific information including organization name, role titles, template references, governance structure details, approval authorities, and related document references. Organizations should also review and adapt procedure steps to align with their existing processes and governance frameworks.
Q: How does this integrate with other NIST AI RMF functions? A: This MAP function SOP is designed as part of a comprehensive NIST AI RMF implementation. The template includes references to related GOVERN, MEASURE, and MANAGE function SOPs, supporting integrated implementation across all framework functions. Organizations implementing comprehensive NIST AI RMF programs may benefit from coordinating MAP procedures with other function documentation.
Ideal For
This template is designed for:
- AI Governance Programs implementing or enhancing NIST AI RMF alignment across organizational AI systems
- Compliance Teams requiring structured documentation for AI risk mapping and impact assessment procedures
- Risk Management Professionals establishing systematic approaches to AI system context establishment and categorization
- AI System Owners and Product Managers seeking clear guidance on required documentation and analysis for AI systems
- Organizations at any maturity level from those beginning NIST AI RMF implementation to those refining existing governance procedures
- Multi-system environments requiring consistent MAP procedures applied across diverse AI applications
Single Template Purchase: $5.00
This one-time purchase provides immediate download access to the complete NIST MAP Function Standard Operating Procedure template in Microsoft Word format.
Bundle Considerations: Organizations implementing comprehensive NIST AI RMF programs may benefit from coordinating MAP function procedures with complementary templates for other framework functions (GOVERN, MEASURE, MANAGE). Bundle options may be available for organizations seeking integrated documentation suites.
Enterprise Implementation: Organizations requiring assistance with template customization, procedure integration with existing governance frameworks, or staff training on MAP function implementation may contact us regarding professional services support.
⚖️ Differentiator
This Standard Operating Procedure template provides what many organizations spend weeks developing: detailed, actionable procedures for implementing the NIST AI Risk Management Framework’s MAP function. Rather than interpreting framework guidance from scratch, this template offers structured procedures with explicit steps, clear role assignments, and comprehensive deliverable specifications that organizations can adapt to their specific contexts.
The template includes substantive implementation detail often missing from high-level framework guidance—specific procedure steps, explicit deliverable requirements, RACI matrices, and integration points with other NIST AI RMF functions. This level of detail supports organizations in moving from framework understanding to operational implementation, while the customization structure allows adaptation to diverse organizational structures and governance approaches.
For $5.00, organizations receive a foundation document that can support consistent MAP function implementation across multiple AI systems, reducing the time and expertise required to translate NIST guidance into operational procedures. The template is designed to support, not replace, the professional judgment required for effective AI governance, providing structure that teams can build upon rather than starting from a blank page.
