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20 P E E R T O P E E R : I L T A ' S Q U A R T E R L Y M A G A Z I N E | W I N T E R 2 0 2 3 complying with regulations, and handling the influx of information. In this way, a business case becomes more than a singular event; it integrates into the regular part of how your department tells its story and plans for success. Strategic Plan Fundamentals Mission and vision: The core of information governance A mission statement for your information governance department acts as its declaration of purpose—defining the 'why' behind each action and decision, providing a clear direction. The vision, by contrast, is the 'what'—the dream of what you're aiming for, the beacon you're chasing on the horizon. Goals: Defining success in information governance Setting concrete, measurable goals takes the abstract ideas of your mission and vision and turns them into a checklist of achievements. These goals are the benchmarks that the information governance department aims to hit, lining up with the broader goals of the organization. Imagine setting a goal to boost the quality of your data or to meet compliance targets within a certain period. This is how you contribute to your organization's efficiency and tighten up risk management. SWOT analysis: The strategic assessment tool A SWOT analysis takes a magnifying glass to your strategic plan. It's essential for any information governance strategy to have a good hard look at what you're great at (strengths) and where you could improve (weaknesses). Then you need to scan the horizon for opportunities to grow and threats that could trip you up. This deep dive helps you grasp where your department stands and what kind of business landscape you're dealing with, laying down a solid base for smart decision-making. Action plans: The roadmap to achievement Action plans map the route from your current position to your desired outcome. They encompass both the final goal and the journey there, detailing what actions to take, what resources are required, the time frame, and the indicators of success. Action plans breathe life into your strategy, morphing lofty goals into tangible results through careful planning and action. Bringing it all together: The cohesive strategic plan When you stitch together the classic pieces of a strategic plan—mission, vision, goals, SWOT analysis, and action plans—you get a full-blown roadmap for your information governance department. By weaving these elements into your department's daily efforts and aligning them with the big-picture strategy, your strategic plan evolves into an active dynamic blueprint that drives your department forward. A strategic plan is an essential component of effective information governance. It informs the creation of business cases, ensuring that every initiative undertaken is strategically sound and contributes to the achievement of both departmental and organizational aspirations. As an information governance professional looking to craft a business case, the strategic plan will be your guide, making sure that each step taken is purposeful and progress oriented. Essential rationales for information governance business cases When you're making a case for information governance, it all boils down to two big things: money and risk. Getting a grip on these and being able to talk about them is key if you want to get the green light from the people holding the purse strings — those who care a lot about profits and keeping trouble at bay. F E A T U R E S

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