Training Module
Governance Design
Build the decision rights, governance meetings, escalation paths and evidence trails that make management systems work in practice
Overview
Many organisations have governance on paper but still struggle to make decisions in practice. Roles are named, governance meetings exist and escalation paths are documented, yet authority, resources, evidence and accountability do not always line up when a real decision is needed.
This module develops the practical judgement needed to design governance for ISO-based management systems. Participants work through the evolving Northstar case, from a small founder-led team to a more complex multi-entity organisation, and learn how governance must change as internal complexity, external obligations, customer assurance pressure and technology dependence increase.
The focus is not on adding committees or teaching ISO clauses. Participants practise designing decision rights that match the organisation, effective governance meetings, escalation triggers, exception handling, evidence trails and maintainability checks so the management system can support timely, explicit and defensible decisions.
Applicable environments
This module is applicable across a wide range of management systems and organisational contexts. The concepts are not tied to a specific ISO standard and are used wherever organisations need clear, workable processes, defined ownership, and embedded controls.
It is commonly applied in quality, information security, environmental, and other ISO-based management systems, as well as in non-certified environments that require structured, auditable operations.
Target audience
Management system implementers and coordinators
Executives and department heads accountable for management system performance
Those responsible for processes, policies, assets, risks, and controls related to a management system
Auditors seeking insights into management-side best practice (not audit technique)
Management consultants working with management system design, governance, or improvement
Decision support
Is this module for you?
Agenda
Governance fit and organisational context
Decision rights, accountability and authority
Governance meetings and escalation
Exceptions, evidence and decision records
Multi-entity governance and interfaces
Integrated governance architecture
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Learning outcomes
Key outcomes
Design management-system governance that fits organisational maturity, obligations and decision stakes
Map decision rights so accountability, authority, resources, escalation and evidence ownership are aligned
Design governance meetings, escalation paths and evidence trails that produce usable decisions rather than meeting theatre
Additional capabilities
Balance direction, boundaries, diagnostic visibility, interactive judgement and explicit decision authority
Define exception, waiver and independent-challenge paths for high-stakes or ambiguous decisions
Clarify central/local governance and interfaces across entities, functions, shared services and platforms
Define triggers for reviewing and adapting governance as the organisation changes
Use technology and AI support to surface ambiguity, stale records or evidence gaps without replacing accountable judgement
Materials
Learning materials
Slide deck
Participant workbook
Templates & tools
Practical, reusable artefacts to apply the module directly to your organisation.
Governance fit canvas
Decision rights matrix template
Governance meeting and escalation map template
Evidence trail and decision record guide
Governance architecture blueprint
Technology and AI support safeguards
Confirmation
Certificate of completion
Module ID
HAM-AG-C-04
Discipline
ISO standard
Standard clause
5: Leadership
Domains
Target audience
Open delivery
No dates currently scheduled
Dedicated delivery
Available on request
Duration
12 h
List price
Based on delivery format
Delivery & dates
Live virtual delivery
This module is delivered live online and combines conceptual framing, discussion, case work and direct interaction with the instructor.
A public cohort is currently not scheduled. If you register your interest, we will notify you when a new public cohort is scheduled or suitable delivery options become available.
Custom delivery options
For organisations with specific constraints or learning objectives, the module can be adapted in format or scope, including in-house delivery and contextualised case material.
For an optimal learning experience
Prerequisites & preparation
This module is designed as part of a modular training approach. Topics are deliberately distributed across modules and are not repeated in full, in order to avoid unnecessary redundancy. Each module is self-contained and can be taken on its own. Where prior knowledge or experience is helpful, this is indicated below so you can decide whether any preparation is useful for you.
Assumed background
No formal prerequisites. The module assumes general familiarity with how a management system is implemented and operated in an organisation.
Helpful background includes:
Basic understanding of organisational roles, accountability and decision-making
Familiarity with common management-system structures such as policies, processes, responsibilities and reviews
