Governance Model
What Is a Governance Model?
In the context of Digital Asset Management (DAM), a governance model refers to the structured framework that dictates how digital assets are managed, accessed, used, and preserved within an organization. This model involves clear policies, procedures, roles, and responsibilities that control the creation, approval, enrichment, storage, retrieval, distribution, and archiving of digital assets. The goal of a DAM governance model is to standardize practices, ensure data integrity, promote consistency, and manage risk while optimizing the value and usability of the organization's digital assets.
What Are the Benefits of a Governance Model?
A well-implemented governance model in DAM offers several benefits. Firstly, it provides clear guidelines and standards, which lead to consistency and uniformity in how digital assets are managed across the organization. This not only improves efficiency and productivity but also enhances the quality and reliability of the digital assets.
Secondly, a governance model enhances data security by defining who has access to what assets and what actions they can perform on them. It can help prevent unauthorized access or misuse of digital assets, thereby protecting sensitive information and intellectual property.
Thirdly, it ensures regulatory compliance by enforcing rules related to data privacy, intellectual property rights, and industry-specific regulations. This can protect the organization from legal repercussions and enhance its reputation.
Fourthly, it promotes accountability and transparency by clearly defining roles and responsibilities related to digital asset management. This can lead to better collaboration, improved decision-making, and reduced conflicts or misunderstandings.
Finally, a governance model can help optimize the value of digital assets by ensuring they are properly managed, maintained, and utilized. This can lead to better returns on investment for the organization.
What Is a Good Example of a Governance Model Done Well?
An excellent example of a well-executed governance model in DAM is Adobe’s management of its extensive digital asset portfolio. Adobe uses a comprehensive governance model to manage millions of digital assets across various products and services.
Adobe's governance model ensures that digital assets are accurately categorized, tagged, and stored, making it easier for stakeholders to find and use them. It also clearly defines roles and responsibilities, with asset managers, creators, users, and IT teams each knowing their part in the asset lifecycle.
Access control is strictly enforced, with appropriate permissions granted based on roles and responsibilities. This safeguards assets against unauthorized access or misuse. In addition, Adobe's governance model ensures that all digital assets comply with relevant legal and regulatory requirements, including copyright laws and data privacy regulations.
What Are the Key Considerations in Adopting a Governance Model for DAM?
When developing a governance model for DAM, some key considerations include:
1. Stakeholder Involvement: It's important to involve all stakeholders in the process, as they can provide valuable input based on their roles and needs. This includes IT, marketing, legal, operations, and any other teams that create, use, or manage digital assets.
2. Asset Lifecycle Management: The governance model should cover all stages of the asset lifecycle, from creation and acquisition to archiving and disposal.
3. Roles and Responsibilities: Clearly defining who is responsible for what in the DAM system is crucial. This includes who can create, approve, edit, view, and delete digital assets.
4. Access Control: Implementing strict access control policies can prevent unauthorized access and misuse of assets. This might involve role-based access control, where permissions are granted based on the user's role in the organization.
5. Standards and Procedures: Establishing standards for metadata, file formats, naming conventions, and other aspects can promote consistency and improve asset discoverability and usability.
6. Compliance: The governance model should ensure compliance with relevant laws and regulations. This might involve procedures for managing intellectual property rights, personal data, and industry-specific regulations.
7. Audit and Review: Regular audits and reviews can help ensure the governance model is being followed and is still effective. This might involve checking for compliance, evaluating the quality of metadata, or reviewing user feedback.
A carefully planned and well-implemented governance model can greatly enhance the effectiveness of a DAM system, improving productivity, data security, compliance, and the value derived from digital assets.