Build sustainable governance frameworks that keep web properties aligned, accessible, and compliant
Without clear governance, web properties become fragmented: inconsistent branding, accessibility gaps, outdated content, and unclear ownership create risk and frustration. Stoneberg Design helps organizations establish governance frameworks that define who owns what, how decisions get made, and what standards everyone follows. The result is web experiences that stay aligned with organizational goals and regulatory requirements.
Clear Ownership
Define roles and responsibilities across content creation, review, approval, and maintenance to eliminate confusion and accountability gaps.
Editorial Standards
Document style guides, content templates, and quality checklists that ensure consistency across all web properties and content types.
Decision Frameworks
Establish governance councils, escalation paths, and decision-making processes for platform changes, migrations, and strategic initiatives.
Compliance & Risk
Build policies around accessibility, brand compliance, legal review, and data privacy to mitigate organizational risk.
Lifecycle Management
Create content sunset policies, archival strategies, and maintenance schedules to prevent digital decay and sprawl.
Metrics & Reporting
Define governance KPIs, audit schedules, and reporting dashboards to track compliance and identify operational drift.
Why governance matters for web teams
Governance isn't about bureaucracy; it's about sustainable decision-making and clear accountability. Organizations with strong web governance ship faster because they avoid endless debates over permissions, brand compliance, and editorial standards. Teams know what's expected, who to ask, and how to escalate when edge cases emerge.
We've designed governance frameworks for university web ecosystems, non-profit content libraries, and enterprise marketing teams. Our approach balances structure with flexibility, ensuring policies support teams rather than obstruct them. We document everything in accessible formats and facilitate workshops to build stakeholder buy-in.
What a governance framework includes
Our governance engagements typically produce a comprehensive framework document that outlines roles, responsibilities, editorial standards, and decision-making processes. This includes content lifecycle policies (creation, review, publication, archival), accessibility compliance procedures, brand and style guides, and escalation paths for changes that impact multiple stakeholders.
We also design governance councils or working groups, define meeting cadences and agendas, and create audit schedules to ensure ongoing compliance. For organizations with decentralized web properties (such as universities with departmental sites), we help establish federated governance models that balance autonomy with institutional standards. Training materials, onboarding checklists, and policy communication plans ensure your teams understand and adopt new frameworks.
Governance as an enabler, not a blocker
The best governance frameworks empower teams by providing clarity and structure. When editors know the approval process, designers understand brand guidelines, and developers have documented standards for accessibility and performance, shipping becomes predictable and efficient. Governance done right reduces risk while increasing velocity.
We work with leadership teams to design governance that fits organizational culture and operational reality. Whether you need a lightweight framework for a small team or a comprehensive policy suite for an enterprise, we tailor our approach to your needs and ensure adoption through change management and stakeholder engagement.
Ready to start your project?
Let's discuss how we can help modernize your web presence and deliver measurable results for your organization.