Governance for the People: A Human-First Approach for M365 Success

Let’s be honest—governance doesn’t always get people excited. For some, it sounds like red tape. For others, it feels like a roadblock. But when done right, governance isn’t about restriction—it’s about empowerment. Yes, I know some of my admin friends are rolling your eyes at that word but stick with me.  

Organizations put governance in place to keep data secure, ensure compliance, and optimize the digital workplace. But if governance is built without considering the people using it, it fails before it even starts. That’s why governance must take a human-first approach—because at the core of every policy, setting, and security measure are the people who need to get work done. 

Governance Is About People, Not Just Policies 

Microsoft 365 gives organizations powerful collaboration tools—SharePoint, Teams, Viva, OneDrive, Copilot, and more. But without thoughtful governance, these tools can quickly become chaotic. 

• Without structure, employees struggle to find what they need 

• Without security measures, sensitive data can be overshared 

• Without proper security, AI tools like Copilot may surface the wrong information at the wrong time (or maybe not at all)
  

Governance ensures Microsoft 365 is usable, secure, and efficient—but it should never come at the cost of usability.

The Balance: Control vs. Usability 

Too much governance, and employees feel restricted. Too little, and data becomes a free-for-all. What’s the sweet spot? A governance framework that protects data while enabling employees to work without frustration. 

Here’s what that looks like in practice: 

✅ Naming conventions that make sense—so employees can easily find and understand their content. 
✅ Security settings that protect data—without creating unnecessary roadblocks. 
✅ Permissions that are properly managed—so people only see what they should, reducing AI-driven oversharing. 
✅ Lifecycle policies that prevent clutter—so outdated Teams, sites, and documents don’t pile up. 

Governance should work with employees, not against them—giving them clarity instead of confusion. 

AI Readiness Starts with Governance 

With Microsoft 365 Copilot entering the workplace, governance is more important than ever. It’s important to remember: AI doesn’t create governance problems—it exposes them. 

If data is already disorganized, AI will surface that disorganization. If permissions aren’t set correctly, AI might show employees things they were never meant to see (because security by obscurity was never a good thing!). The best way to prepare for AI is to get governance right first—so that when AI enhances productivity, it does so safely and effectively. 

Human-First Governance with Orchestry 

At Orchestry, we believe governance should be automated, intuitive, and built for the people using it. That’s why we help organizations take the guesswork out of Microsoft 365 governance—so employees get the best experience, without sacrificing security or efficiency. 

A human-first governance approach means:

✔ Policies that make sense to users 
✔ Automation that reduces manual effort 
✔ Security that protects without frustrating 
✔ AI readiness that ensures information is surfaced correctly and securely 

Governance isn’t about locking things down—it’s about creating a structured, secure, and intelligent workplace where employees thrive. 

If your organization is ready to govern smarter, not harder, let’s talk. Because governance isn’t just about what you control—it’s about who you empower. 😉