Monitors, known by a variety of names including external compliance officers and Independent Private Sector Inspectors General (IPSIGs), have become a common judicial, regulatory, and conflict resolution tool. In most instances, a Monitor is installed by agreement between a company or other public or private entity (referred to in these standards as the Host Organization) and a state or federal government department or agency (The Government).

The agreement between the parties (the Agreement), often resulting from some concern about fraud, misconduct, or regulatory violation, often enables the host organization to mitigate, suspend or avoid government actions or penalties, such as debarment, administrative charges, or indictment, through the host organization's commitment to perform the actions enumerated in the Agreement.