Web Governance and the 13 CIOs

I just saw something on Twitter that pulled on my heartstrings. It was a tweet that referenced a Federal colleague working on a Web 2.0 strategy in an agency with 13 CIOs.

Whether or not they need 13 CIOs is a point of discussion I'll leave to the political and IT pundits, but I can certainly empathize with the person trying to build consensus for a Web strategy among so many individuals with clout. The Web is an enterprise-wide program that impacts the organization at every level. Strategic decisions therefore can't happen in a vacuum. Getting buy-in from key stakeholders is essential. But how do you do that in an organization with so many (and often competing) interests?

A key step is to make sure you have formal Web governance in place. Web governance is the authoritative administrative structures that set policy and standards for Web product management -- including Web 2.0 efforts. Formal Web governance includes a framework that specifies who provides inputs and who makes decisions related to the various aspects Web operations. To be effective, the framework should be endorsed by the highest levels of senior leadership, which will give authority to those groups responsible for setting Web policy and delivering Web standards. In this particular instance, the Web 2.0 strategist would have a clear process for seeking input, evaluating recommendations based on existing policies and standards, and making a final decision. 

Without a structured governance framework in place, the organization is at risk for infighting and/or the inability to make strategic Web decisions and making them stick. In other words, you'll be in a situation where you're running around trying to get 13 CIOs, their deputies, Communications, program directors, political appointees, the guy down the hall with an opinion on everything...basically everyone to agree.