An organization buys the standard, hands it to the data management team, and expects a checklist. That never works – because 38505 is not a checklist.

In today's digital age, organizations are increasingly dependent on information technology (IT) to drive their business operations. As a result, effective governance of IT is crucial to ensure that IT investments are aligned with business objectives, and that IT risks are properly managed. One international standard that provides guidance on IT governance is ISO 38505, also known as "Information technology - Governance of IT - Guide on IT governance". This essay provides an overview of ISO 38505, its key components, and the benefits of implementing this standard.