Template for Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA)

Summary

The International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP) has created a comprehensive DPIA template that transforms the often overwhelming process of privacy risk assessment into a structured, manageable workflow. Rather than starting from scratch, this resource provides organizations with a ready-made framework of targeted questions that systematically guide teams through identifying, analyzing, and documenting privacy risks before they become compliance nightmares. The template serves as both a practical checklist and a strategic planning tool, helping organizations meet GDPR Article 35 requirements while building stronger privacy practices into their data processing activities.

What makes this template essential

Most organizations know they need to conduct DPIAs but struggle with where to start and what questions to ask. This IAPP template solves that problem by providing a battle-tested structure that covers all the critical areas privacy professionals have learned matter most in real-world assessments. The template goes beyond basic compliance checkboxes to include questions that help organizations think strategically about privacy risks, data subject rights, and mitigation measures.

The resource is particularly valuable because it's designed to be jurisdiction-agnostic while still meeting GDPR standards - meaning organizations can use it as a foundation regardless of their primary regulatory environment, then customize based on local requirements.

Getting the most from this template

Before diving into a full DPIA, use this template during your initial risk screening to determine if a formal assessment is even required. The structured questions help distinguish between routine data processing activities and those that pose higher privacy risks requiring deeper evaluation.

When you do need to conduct a full DPIA, treat this template as your project roadmap rather than a rigid script. The questions are designed to prompt discussion and investigation - use them to facilitate workshops with stakeholders, guide interviews with system owners, and ensure you're not missing critical privacy considerations. Many organizations find it helpful to assign different sections to team members with relevant expertise, then synthesize findings into a comprehensive assessment.

The template works best when you customize it for your specific industry or use case. Add sector-specific questions, remove irrelevant sections, and incorporate your organization's privacy principles and risk tolerance levels.

Who this resource is for

Privacy officers and data protection professionals who need a reliable starting point for DPIA projects and want to ensure they're covering all regulatory requirements without reinventing the process each time.

Legal and compliance teams working on data processing projects who need a structured approach to identify and document privacy risks that could expose the organization to regulatory penalties or litigation.

Project managers and product teams launching new systems, services, or data initiatives who need to integrate privacy assessment into their development workflows without extensive privacy law expertise.

Consultants and auditors who conduct privacy assessments for multiple clients and need a standardized framework that can be adapted across different industries and organizational contexts.

Watch out for

This template provides the questions but not the answers - you'll still need privacy expertise to properly evaluate responses and determine appropriate risk mitigation measures. Don't treat completion of the template as the end goal; the real value comes from the analysis and decision-making that follows.

The template is comprehensive, which means it may include questions that aren't relevant to your specific processing activity. Resist the urge to answer everything if it doesn't apply - focus on the sections that matter for your use case to avoid diluting the assessment's effectiveness.

While the template is designed to be globally applicable, make sure you're also addressing any jurisdiction-specific DPIA requirements. Some regulators have published their own guidance or additional questions that should be incorporated into your assessment process.