If you are responsible for communicating with your project stakeholders, you will want to receive feedback from your team to ensure your message is clear and serves its purpose. You also want to feel confident that any copy you are working on is not disseminated outside your team until it is finalized. Here are some tips that can help you secure the confidentiality of your documents while getting the feedback you need.

1. Establish a confidentiality protocol

Establish a confidentiality protocol before you distribute any document to your team. This protocol can be in the form of an email or during a team meeting where the steps of the protocol can be outlined. This protocol can include password-protecting the document, erasing any annotations before sharing, or only sharing the document with a select few team members.

2. Limit the number of reviewers

Inviting too many reviewers can increase the likelihood of the document being leaked. It’s important to limit the number of reviewers to only essential ones. Additionally, it’s equally important to ensure the reviewers understand confidentiality’s importance.

3. Use collaboration tools

Tools like Google Docs or Microsoft Office allow for real-time feedback without sharing physical copies of the document. This can help you control access to the document and monitor who is reviewing, editing, and leaving comments.

4. Watermark your document

Watermarking your document with “Confidential” or “Draft” can be a visual reminder to reviewers that the document is not yet finalized and should not be shared without permission. It’s also a way to keep track of the physical copy of the document and help you trace it back if it becomes compromised.

5. Schedule a follow-up review

Setting a deadline for feedback and scheduling a review can help encourage your team to review the document promptly. It’s also a way for you to remind them of the confidentiality protocol that has been established.

Getting feedback on a document is an integral aspect of any project. However, it’s essential to ensure that the document you’re working on doesn’t leave your team until it’s finalized. You can keep your document confidential and secure by limiting the number of reviewers, using collaboration tools, watermarking your document, and scheduling a follow-up review. These steps can help prevent your document from leaking and becoming compromised, saving you from headaches and embarrassment.