Summary of Guardians of M365 Governance Ep.15
What are the governance best practices for SharePoint intranets? How much does your organization emphasize the importance of structured policies that evolve with the platform rather than simply to restrict users every time they ask for new features? For Episode 15 of the Guardians of M365 Governance monthly webcast, Joy Apple (@joyofsharepoint), Ragnar Heil (@ragnarh) and I welcomed our guest Matthew Burrell [LinkedIn] from Your 365 Coach to discuss “Governance Essentials for SharePoint Intranet Success” some of his real-world experiences.
The discussion focused on the role of governance in maintaining an effective and scalable intranet, the balance between enabling users and enforcing policies, and the challenges organizations face as SharePoint continuously evolves. The conversation also emphasized why governance should be seen as a facilitator rather than a restriction, ensuring intranet platforms support collaboration, compliance, and accessibility while preventing common pitfalls.
A key takeaway was the importance of a structured governance framework, where policies are not rigid rules but adaptive guidelines that help organizations navigate SharePoint’s rapid changes. The panel highlighted how governance committees or forums should include stakeholders from IT, internal communications, and business units, ensuring policies align with organizational needs. The discussion also underscored the value of community-driven governance, where businesses leverage best practices and shared policies from peers to enhance their governance strategies.
Finally, the episode touched on the future of governance and evolving business needs, emphasizing the necessity of continuous governance reviews and open discussions to prevent outdated policies from stifling innovation. We stressed that governance should not be about locking things down but providing structure and flexibility for users to work efficiently while maintaining compliance. As organizations continue adapting to SharePoint’s evergreen model and AI-driven capabilities, governance must remain dynamic, ensuring businesses stay secure while fostering innovation and collaboration.
If you missed the live stream, you can watch the recording here:
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