What it means
It establishes decision authorities, review criteria, reusable standards, escalation paths, and exception processes that keep designs aligned with risk and enterprise direction.
Why it matters
Architecture value depends on adoption. Governance turns guidance into repeatable decisions while allowing justified variation where context demands it.
Practical focus
- Define which decisions require formal review
- Use transparent criteria tied to risk and business outcomes
- Record decisions, conditions, and expiration dates
- Review patterns and standards as threats and platforms change
Common mistakes
- Creating a board that only delays projects
- Approving exceptions without owners or expiration
- Measuring meeting volume instead of design quality
- Reviewing diagrams after irreversible implementation choices
Certification relevance
This subject appears in or supports the following certification bodies of knowledge: