See what tools are already being used, what data they touch, where human review is needed and who owns the decision.
Steerframe turns this into practical controls that fit the workflow, rather than a policy document nobody uses.
Practical business guidance, not legal, data protection or regulatory advice.
Example governance view
Meeting notes
ApprovedProposal drafting
ControlledClient research
ApprovedPublic AI tool
RestrictedIllustrative example only. Does not contain real client information.
The systems exist. The friction is often between them.
of European manufacturing leaders lack full real-time production visibility
Fragmented systems and spreadsheets make operations harder to see clearly.
Zebra Technologies, Manufacturing Vision Study, 2024say legacy systems and processes hold transformation back
Sometimes the problem is how existing systems connect and work together.
Make UK & PwC UK, Executive Survey 2026plan to invest in technology and automation to cut costs
The right investment starts with the operational problem.
Make UK & BDO, Manufacturing Outlook Q3 2025Governance should make useful AI easier to adopt, while making the boundaries, checks and responsibilities clear.
AI usage register
A record of the tools, use cases, users and owners already inside the business.
Approved tools and data boundaries
Clear guidance on which tools can be used and what information must stay out.
Human review points
Defined checkpoints before AI-supported work reaches a client or affects a decision.
Ownership and risk notes
Named responsibility, known risks and practical actions for each use case.
Outputs may also include a responsible AI policy draft, approved knowledge sources and use-case-specific guidance.
A generic policy cannot tell someone what to do at a real decision point. The controls need to reflect the data, output, risk and people involved.
Approved inputs
Only approved company information and client-approved material can be used.
AI-assisted draft
AI creates a first draft within defined instructions and source boundaries.
Restricted content
Pricing, legal commitments and confidential information remain controlled.
Human review
A named person checks accuracy, judgement, tone and client suitability.
Final approval
Nothing reaches the client until the responsible owner approves it.
The same principle can be applied to meeting notes, research, document handling, reporting, internal knowledge and other AI-assisted workflows.
01
Discover
Identify the AI tools, use cases, data and informal practices already inside the business.
02
Assess
Review the value, sensitivity, reliability, human judgement and consequences of error.
03
Control
Set approved tools, data boundaries, review points, ownership and next actions.
The aim is not to stop useful AI. It is to give people enough clarity to use it with confidence.
Governance is most useful when it is connected to the workflow, data and decisions involved. It can be included inside a Workflow Diagnostic or delivered as a focused review for teams that need clearer organisation-wide rules.
Inside the Workflow Diagnostic
Assess AI use, data boundaries, human review and ownership alongside a priority operational workflow.
Best when AI or automation is being considered for a specific process.
Book a Free Waste Review →Focused AI governance review
Review current AI use across the team and establish practical organisation-wide controls.
Best when staff are already using AI but shared rules do not yet exist.
Free guide
Download practical guidance on approved tools, data use, human review and shadow AI.
Practical business guidance only. Not legal, data protection or regulatory advice.