What it does
Applying a framework connects it to an institution or program so that unit can be reviewed against it. Each application records the target, the academic period, how much structure the target can see, and whether it is review-ready.
Who it's for
Organization and institution administrators who distribute a shared framework downstream; receiving administrators see it in their own frameworks list, with full structure if visibility allows.
How it works
From a framework's Applies to tab, add an application. Choose the target — an institution or a program — and optionally link an academic period. Each application carries three settings:
Visibility mode — full, summary, or hidden until cycle. Full shows the entire structure. Summary shows name and metadata only. Hidden until cycle shows nothing until a review starts. New frameworks set a default visibility each application can override.
Is required for completion — whether the target must respond, or it's optional.
Can launch review cycles — whether a review cycle can start from this application.
Readiness. Every row shows a state — ready, needs period, not linked, paused, or archived — so you can see at a glance which targets are set up for review. This interacts with the framework's period mode: a linked period can be not needed, required before a review, or required before the framework can even be applied.
Lifecycle. Applications are active, paused, or archived. Pausing keeps the record without treating the target as currently in scope.
Before you start
You need management access on the framework to add, edit, pause, or archive its applications.
Know your target's academic period ahead of time if the framework's period mode requires one — the sheet will block submission without it.
Organization-scoped frameworks can apply to institutions or programs. Institution-scoped frameworks can only apply to programs. Program-scoped frameworks have no further level to apply to.
Do this
Open the framework you want to apply, then select the Applies to tab → you should see the existing applications list and their readiness states.
Select New application → the New application sheet opens.
If more than one target type is available, choose Target type (institution or program), then pick the specific institution or program in the field that appears → the target name fills in.
Set Visibility, and if the field is shown, pick an Academic period → required period fields are marked with an asterisk.
Toggle Is required for completion and Can launch review cycles as needed, then select Save → you return to the Applies to tab and the new row appears with a readiness state.
To change an application later, select it and edit the same fields, or select the archive icon to retire it → the row moves to an archived state and its history stays on record.
You're done when
The target institution or program appears as a row on the Applies to tab.
The row's readiness state reads ready (or needs period if an academic period is still missing).
The target's own frameworks list shows the framework under Shared with us or In use, with the visibility you set.
Boundaries and limits
Only users who can manage the framework can add, edit, pause, or archive its applications. Every application's scope is checked against the framework's own scope — you cannot apply it outside its sharing chain.
Application targets are institutions and programs within your platform tenancy. There is no cross-tenant application.
A summary-visibility application hides the framework's structure, questions, metrics, and reports. Those unlock only through full visibility or an active review cycle.
If the framework's period mode requires an academic period, an application without one shows needs period and cannot launch a review.
Applications are never hard-deleted; archive them instead, preserving the record of where the framework was applied.
Common questions
Q: We applied a framework but the program says they cannot see its goals. Why? A: Check the application's visibility mode. Summary and hidden-until-cycle applications intentionally withhold the structure. Switch to full visibility, or start a review cycle, to grant access.
Q: What does "needs period" mean in the readiness column? A: The framework requires this application to be linked to an academic period before a review can launch, and it does not have one yet. Edit the application and pick a period.
Q: Can we make a framework advisory rather than mandatory for some programs? A: Yes. Each application has its own Is required for completion toggle, so the same framework can be required for some targets and optional for others.
Q: Can I temporarily suspend a framework for one program without archiving it? A: Yes. Pause that program's application. The framework and its other applications are unaffected.
Related articles