Project Governance and Framework Development
The role and importance of good governance should not be underestimated. Every project represents and applies subtle changes to business. These changes need proper processes and systems in order to ensure they are appropriately managed and that controls are in place.
While project governance model may represent change and challenge to the status-quo, it is necessary for any business who values consistency, efficiency and currency of information.
A project Steering Committee should carefully consider their decision around ‘who owns’ the project/system as this can impact on the most suitable IT governance model.
Ownership of administration and process management is required to safeguard the investment made in on core business systems.
Governance can be split into:
• Information Governance;
• Technical Governance; and,
• Project Governance.
Technical Governance
Technical Governance, to a large extent is able to be managed using current business processes; however it is the Information and Project Governance that requires hands on management and preservation of quality and consistency. This can sometimes be referred to as ‘IT Governance’
In accordance with best practice, I believe that organisations need to understand that for governance to be respected and adhered to, they need to make allowance for a new FTE who is responsible for the quality of content, process adherence, user access management and ongoing product development / enhancement work in line with business needs and growth requirements.
Once the governance model has been agreed to, procedural documentation can then be written. These documents are important as they enshrine governance and ongoing processes.
