Digital transformation can help an organisation be truly successful in this digital age. But without good governance, such a transformation can never be successful. So when I start digital transformation at an organisation, governance is one of the first areas of focus.
Governance refers to the set of processes, rules, practices and structures by which organisations, institutions or governments are directed and controlled. It includes the mechanisms by which decisions are made, responsibilities are distributed, and compliance with standards is monitored.
Digital governance
Digital governance describes the processes, roles, policies, standards and criteria for ensuring that organisational goals are met using digital assets.
Digital transformation is not simply a technological upgrade; it is a fundamental change in the way an organisation operates. Without governance, the complexity and risks of digital transformation can become overwhelming. Information, systems and process governance provide the structure and control needed to successfully and sustainably implement a digital strategy.
Information governance: The foundation of trust and value
Information is the backbone of any digital transformation. Think customer data, business analytics and operational data. Without effective information governance, risks arise such as:
Unreliable data - poor data quality leads to wrong decisions.
Compliance issues - legislation such as the AVG/GDPR requires careful handling of personal data.
Data security - poor security can lead to costly data breaches and reputational damage.
A strong information governance framework ensures that data is consistent, accurate, secure, and used appropriately. This not only enables better decision-making, but also reinforces customer and stakeholder trust.
System governance: stability in a complex digital infrastructure
Digital transformation often requires the implementation of new technologies, platforms and tools. Without clear systems governance, this can lead to:
Incompatible systems - applications that cannot communicate with each other.
Cost explosions - due to proliferation of systems without oversight and management.
Failure risks - lack of monitoring and maintenance can lead to system failures.
System governance sets frameworks to align technology choices with strategic goals. It ensures that systems are scalable, secure and future-proof, with clear responsibilities for management and maintenance.
Process governance: the key to sustainable change
Digital transformation is not only about technology, but more importantly about people and processes. New tools and systems can only make an impact if they are well integrated into daily work practices. Process governance plays a crucial role in this by:
Uniformity - standardizing practices to increase efficiency.
Control - monitoring process quality and minimizing errors.
Flexibility - the ability to quickly adapt processes to changing needs.
By clearly defining processes and assigning ownership, the organisation becomes more agile and better able to innovate permanently.
Coherence between the three forms of governance
Although information, system and process governance may seem like separate components, they are inextricably linked. For example, good information governance depends on systems that can collect and process data, while process governance requires that the right information is available at the right time.
These three pillars reinforce each other and together form a robust framework that helps organisations execute digital transformation effectively and in a controlled manner.
Digital maturity: governance
How digitally mature is your organisation when it comes to governance? To what extent are ownership, policies and standards truly invested in your organisation? In which professionals have sufficient mandate to adjust policy and optimally serve the customer?
Take the digital maturity self-test to determine your organization's governance.
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