IT governance is the method by which decisions are made around IT investments. Strong IT governance helps organizations align technology decisions with business priorities, manage IT-related risks, and create clear accountability for leadership and teams. Establishing IT governance in an organization is an important way of ensuring that IT policies and procedures are adhered to.
Below are 8 Steps to establishing IT governance in an organization.
1. Outline Your Organization’s IT Governance Direction
In this first step, the objective of the organization is to identify and describe the strategic and tactical IT governance roles and responsibilities. In this step, it is important to:
Make certain that the organization possesses documented roles and responsibilities of the board, the executives, and the IT strategy committee;
Distinguish and denote how priorities are set, how resources are allocated, and by whom, and how projects are tracked and
Incorporate senior managers from both the IT and business divisions (these individuals serve as the key supporters to distribute and foster the adoption of IT governance procedures and policies within their divisions.)
2. Establish an IT Governance Implementation Plan
The organization needs an effective action plan that complements specific circumstances with needs. It is crucial for the Board to take ownership of IT governance and ascertain the direction that managers should follow. Such decisions are effectively formulated by ensuring that the Board operates with IT governance in mind:
Make certain that IT issues, plans, and wins are on the Board’s agenda;
Assist managers to align IT initiatives with tangible business needs;
Emphasize the potential impact on the business of IT-related risks;
Require that IT performance be measured and reported to the Board;
Establish an IT strategy committee that is accountable for conveying IT issues between the Board and mangers, and
Insist that the organization use a common methodology to employing a management framework for IT governance.
3. Establish an IT Governance Road Map and Plan for Long-term Strategies
IT governance should be coordinated with the more broad and strategic enterprise governance objectives. An IT governance methodology assists board and management to comprehend the suggestions and key ramifications of IT and supports in making certain that the organization can maintain its operations and execute the strategies needed to broaden its operations for future growth.
4. Aim for Short-term IT Governance Objectives and Wins
After the organization has distinguished and established a strategic IT governance road map, identify short-term IT governance issues that can operate as quick wins to get the organization jump-started on its IT governance policy and regulation requirement. These quick wins will afford a good sign of the potential outcomes and difficulties associated with executing sound IT governance; they also help to reveal corporate barriers that need to be addressed before long-term strategies can be implemented. Such wins will also help to provide evidence that IT governance procedures and policies can aid and protect the organization, as well as further establish the credibility for implementing IT governance policies.
5. Recognize and Administer IT-Related Risks and Opportunities
Research what it is that users require and figure out how such needs influence ways in which IT is used within the organization. In doing so, one may discover IT-related risks and opportunities. One suggestion for identifying corporate IT risks or opportunities is to survey or conduct an assessment of users. They can be one of the best sources of input for pinpointing security gaps or improper use of IT.
6. Re-evaluate IT Governance Policies on a Consistent Basis
Once an organization has constructed a practical set of IT governance mechanisms, governance can stay in place until a shift in strategic direction or a business opportunity re-evaluates what the organization perceives as desirable use of IT resources. However, opportunities sometimes arise that are not fully (or partially) addressed in the IT governance policies and procedures. When this situation occurs, the IT governance policies must be revisited to address these situations.
7. Enhance the Transparency of IT Governance
One of the most important factors that can influence the success of IT governance policy and procedures is the number of employees who can accurately describe the organization’s IT governance policies. IT executives and their personnel must engage in proactive talks with business people and IT users to better comprehend corporate needs. One suggestion to promote IT governance in an organization is to enhance the public relations efforts of the IT department. For example, consider generating and distributing an annual report from the IT department that explains and shares the organization’s IT governance and future strategic goals and plans.
8. Institute Exceptions to Processes in the Governance Processes
Every so often business circumstances or opportunities take place that are not legislated or addressed by the organization’s IT governance policies. Such events emerge because IT governance may deny specific actions, or IT governance approaches may be out of date. Create a procedure for the organization to follow if the need emerges to upgrade or to provide an exception to the IT governance policies that are in place.
IT governance exists to help organization leaders in their obligation to make IT effective in supporting the company’s objectives and mission. IT governance assists organization leaders to bring issues to light and understanding among staff and personnel. Such governance likewise aides to give direction and tools to board of directors, executive managers, and CIOs to guarantee that IT meets and exceeds the organization’s expectations.
The Litcom Approach
If your organization needs to establish or strengthen IT governance, Litcom can help assess current decision-making processes, clarify roles and responsibilities, improve oversight, and develop a practical governance roadmap aligned with business priorities. For further information, please contact us at: info@litcom.ca.
