SharePoint Online Governance: Policies and Procedures

SharePoint Online is a powerful tool that enables businesses to collaborate and share information with ease. However, without proper governance policies and procedures, SharePoint Online can quickly become chaotic and difficult to manage. In this blog post, we will discuss SharePoint Online governance, including policies and procedures that businesses should put in place to ensure the effective and secure use of the platform.

What is SharePoint Online Governance?

SharePoint Online governance refers to the set of policies, procedures, and guidelines that dictate how SharePoint Online is used within an organization. SharePoint Online governance covers areas such as site creation, access control, content management, and security, among others.

Why is SharePoint Online Governance Important?

SharePoint Online governance is essential for several reasons, including:

• Compliance: SharePoint Online governance ensures that businesses comply with relevant laws, regulations, and policies.
• Security: SharePoint Online governance helps businesses protect sensitive information and data by implementing security measures such as access controls and permissions.
• Efficiency: SharePoint Online governance ensures that SharePoint Online is used efficiently, reducing duplication of effort and streamlining collaboration.
• Consistency: SharePoint Online governance ensures that users adhere to consistent policies and procedures, making it easier to manage and maintain the platform.

SharePoint Online Governance Policies and Procedures

To ensure the effective and secure use of SharePoint Online, businesses should implement the following policies and procedures:

• Site Creation: Businesses should establish guidelines for creating SharePoint Online sites, including who has permission to create sites, naming conventions, and site templates.
• Access Control: Businesses should establish policies for granting and revoking access to SharePoint Online sites and content. This includes setting permissions levels, managing external sharing, and restricting access to sensitive data.
• Content Management: Businesses should establish guidelines for creating, storing, and managing content in SharePoint Online. This includes naming conventions, versioning, metadata, and retention policies.
• Security: Businesses should establish policies for securing SharePoint Online sites and content. This includes implementing encryption, authentication, and access controls, as well as monitoring and auditing user activity.
• Training and Support: Businesses should provide training and support to users on how to effectively use SharePoint Online. This includes providing resources such as user manuals, training videos, and support forums.

Best Practices for SharePoint Online Governance

In addition to implementing policies and procedures, businesses should also follow best practices for SharePoint Online governance, including:

• Assigning Roles and Responsibilities: Businesses should assign clear roles and responsibilities for managing SharePoint Online, including site owners, administrators, and content managers.
• Regular Review and Auditing: Businesses should regularly review and audit SharePoint Online sites and content to ensure compliance with policies and procedures.
• Communication: Businesses should communicate SharePoint Online policies and procedures to all users and stakeholders, including employees, partners, and customers.
• Continuous Improvement: Businesses should continually evaluate and improve SharePoint Online governance policies and procedures based on feedback and best practices.

SharePoint Online governance is essential for ensuring the effective and secure use of the platform. By implementing policies and procedures, following best practices, and regularly reviewing and auditing the system, businesses can ensure that SharePoint Online is used efficiently, securely, and consistently.