Question ID
Stable reference used in messages, reports and follow-ups.
Free resource · CSV and copyable template
Due diligence question
log template.
Control M&A questions from submission through specialist response, legal approval and evidence-linked closure. The template is ungated, editable and designed to work alongside your virtual data room.
Download CSV template
Copy the tab-separated template into Excel, Sheets or your matter workspace.
Use the log as a control layer
Keep the question, answer and supporting record together
A due diligence question log should show more than who owes a reply. It should identify the scoped request, current owner, permitted recipients, approval state, supporting data-room items, follow-ups and any report finding affected by the answer. The downloadable file contains these fields and an example row that teams can replace.
Pair it with the practical M&A data-room Q&A workflow and the virtual data-room index guide. The room controls files; the question log controls what was asked, what was approved for release and which gaps remain.
15 control groups
What each field is for
Workstream
Controlled category for routing and progress reporting.
Question
One answerable request with its entity, period and scope stated.
Coordinator
Person who checks duplication and controls submission.
Priority
Deal-impact classification, not the sender's personal urgency.
Response owner
Subject specialist accountable for the draft response.
Legal approver
Authorised reviewer for accuracy and disclosure.
Status
Current workflow state with a defined next action.
Approved answer
Final response released to the permitted question group.
VDR item IDs
Stable links to documents that support the answer.
Confidentiality class
Access and handling category for the question and answer.
Disclosure decision
Release, redact, aggregate, defer or decline with authority.
Parent question
Original question that caused a follow-up.
Affected findings
Diligence issues that may need revalidation.
Closure fields
Final-answer time, closer and the basis for closure.
Recommended status model
Give every state one accountable next action
| Status | Definition |
|---|---|
| Draft | Coordinator is checking scope, wording and duplication. |
| Submitted | Question entered the approved seller-side queue. |
| Assigned | Named response owner is preparing the answer. |
| Awaiting evidence | The answer cannot be approved without identified material. |
| Legal review | Counsel or authorised approver is checking disclosure and wording. |
| Answered | Approved answer has been released to the permitted recipients. |
| Follow-up | A linked clarification remains open. |
| Closed | Coordinator confirms the scoped question is resolved or carried as a gap. |
Operating rules
Configure the sheet before the first question arrives
- Name both coordinators. Buyer-side coordination removes duplicates and seller-side coordination routes one controlled queue.
- Define workstreams and priorities. Use controlled values tied to deal impact, response timing and escalation.
- Set the approval boundary. State which answers require legal, finance, security, HR or executive approval before release.
- Reference stable VDR IDs. Do not rely on a filename that can move or change. Link the answer to the reviewed source.
- Preserve follow-up lineage. Create a new row for a new question and keep the parent ID, rather than rewriting history.
- Close with a reason. Record whether the answer was complete, narrowed, not applicable, declined or carried into the diligence report as an unresolved gap.
Use the template without treating it as legal advice
Deal counsel should set disclosure, privilege, clean-team, personal data, securities, competition and retention rules for the actual transaction. A spreadsheet does not decide whether information may be shared or whether an answer is legally sufficient. Store the working log only in an approved location with access appropriate to the underlying information.
Before reporting, connect material answers to the M&A red-flag report and revalidate findings when a new answer or late document changes the record.
Need a connected workflow?
Test the process on a bounded diligence set
Evaluate question routing, tabular document review, source links and lawyer verification against your real deal protocol.