5 Signs Your Organisation Needs a Governance Review

Good governance is more than just having the right policies on file — it’s about ensuring your organisation operates with integrity, transparency, and accountability at every level. But as teams grow, regulations evolve, and strategies shift, governance frameworks can become outdated or misaligned. So how do you know when it's time for a review?

Here are five telltale signs your governance framework might need a refresh:

1. Your Policies Haven’t Been Touched in Years

If your board charters, terms of reference, or policies haven’t been reviewed in the past 12–24 months, they’re likely no longer aligned with current legislation or organisational priorities. Regular reviews help ensure documents remain relevant, compliant, and useful for guiding decisions.

2. Roles and Responsibilities Are Unclear

Confusion over who is responsible for decision-making, reporting, or risk oversight is a red flag. A well-defined governance structure clearly articulates roles, responsibilities, and escalation pathways — reducing friction and improving accountability.

3. Your Board or Executive Team Is Asking for More Clarity

When leadership begins requesting additional information or guidance on risk, compliance, or performance — it's often a symptom of a gap in your governance framework. Rather than addressing these questions ad hoc, a governance review can proactively close those gaps.

4. There’s Been a Major Change or Incident

Mergers, restructures, regulatory changes, or significant operational incidents are key moments to assess whether existing frameworks are still fit for purpose. These events often reveal vulnerabilities or inefficiencies that could be addressed with updated governance tools.

5. You’re Implementing a Digital Governance Platform

Transitioning to a digital governance, risk and compliance (GRC) system is the perfect time to reassess your frameworks. Clear, up-to-date charters and policies will improve the platform’s value and usability across the organisation.

A governance review isn’t just about ticking boxes — it’s about building confidence. Whether you’re scaling, responding to change, or simply planning ahead, updating your governance framework ensures your organisation remains compliant, consistent and prepared for what’s next.