What is IT governance?
At its core, IT governance provides structure on how to make sure your IT strategy is aligned with your business strategy. By following a formal framework, organisations can produce measurable results towards achieving their strategies and goals. A formal programme also takes into account the interests of stakeholders as well as the needs of staff and the process they follow. All in all, IT governance is a central part of an organisation's overall management.
Why do organisations implement IT governance infrastructures?
Organisations today are subject to many regulations regarding the protection of confidential information, financial accountability, data ownership and disaster recovery, among other things. They are also under pressure from shareholders, stakeholders and customers.
To ensure they meet internal and external demands, many organisations implement a formal IT governance programme that provides a framework of best practices and governance.
What kind of organisations use IT governance?
Both public and private sector organisations need a way to ensure that their IT functions support their strategies and goals. A formal IT governance programme should be a priority for any organisation that needs to comply with regulations related to financial and technology accountability. However, implementing a comprehensive IT governance programme requires a lot of time and energy. The larger the organisation, the more comprehensive these practices should be.
How do you implement an IT governance programme?
The easiest way to begin is by starting with a framework that has already been created by industry experts and used by thousands of organisations. Many frameworks include an implementation guide to help organisations phase in such a programme with as few problems as possible. Some commonly used frameworks are: COBIT, ITIL, COSO, CMMI and FAIR.
How do you ensure a smooth implementation and good results?
One of the most important paths to success is with an administrative buy-in. A risk management committee could be formed with top-level sponsorship and company representation. Results should also be shared with a committee to develop real awareness when things start to get ignored. As with any large project, you should keep lines of communication open between the parties involved, monitor the progress of the implementation and seek outside help if needed.
