Summary of Guardians of M365 Governance Ep.17
In Episode 17 of the Guardians of M365 Governance monthly webcast, Joy Apple (@joyofsharepoint), Ragnar Heil (@ragnarh) and I sit down with Matt Einig, CEO and Founder of Rencore, a leading Microsoft 365 governance-focused ISV, to discuss “Mastering Copilot Studio Governance.” Matt brings over two decades of experience in SharePoint and governance, sharing insights into the evolution of governance practices and tools in the Microsoft 365 ecosystem. Our discussion centered around the governance challenges posed by Microsoft Copilot and Copilot Studio, as well as the increasing need for lifecycle management, cost control, and data governance in large-scale organizations. Matt explored the growing complexity of managing AI-powered agents, particularly in light of the new pay-as-you-go models and the increase in untracked agent creation.
Matt also addressed the importance of integrating governance with automation, highlighting how tools like Rencore’s Copilot Studio Governance module help organizations track and manage their Copilot agents and associated costs. He discussed the risks of uncontrolled agent proliferation and the need for organizations to adopt structured governance policies to avoid potential chaos. The conversation touched on the critical need for lifecycle management, ensuring that inactive agents are reviewed or purged, and discussing how to align cost models with organizational departments to avoid runaway expenses.
As organizations scale their use of AI tools like Copilot, Matt emphasized that governance should no longer be viewed as a burden but as an enabler of value. He explained how governance allows businesses to leverage AI tools effectively while managing risk and ensuring compliance. This episode provides practical advice on managing the growing Copilot ecosystem, emphasizing the balance between empowering users and maintaining control through proper governance practices.
If you missed the live stream, you can watch the recording here:
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