IT governance software helps organizations take control of their IT strategy by providing frameworks, automation, and monitoring tools to oversee IT operations.
This software is the best ally for managing IT effectively: a proces that requires more than just keeping systems running — it involves aligning technology with business goals, addressing security risks, and meeting compliance standards. Without a structured governance approach, organizations risk inefficiencies, security vulnerabilities, and regulatory issues.
In this article, we’ll explore some IT governance solutions that can support decision-making, help you enforce policies, manage compliance, and more.
What does IT governance software do?
IT governance software centralizes the oversight of IT operations, helping organizations maintain compliance, mitigate risks, and align IT with business objectives. Its core functions include:
- Policy enforcement: Ensures IT policies are followed across the organization by automating controls and tracking adherence.
- Risk Management: Identifies vulnerabilities in IT systems, assesses potential risks, and provides tools to address them.
- Compliance tracking: Helps meet regulatory requirements by documenting processes, generating reports, and ensuring audit readiness.
- IT Asset Management and oversight: Monitors IT assets, software licenses, and system usage to prevent inefficiencies and security risks.
- Decision support: Provides dashboards and analytics to help leadership make informed IT-related decisions.
The right software can simplify governance by integrating with existing IT systems and automating key processes, making it easier to maintain visibility and control.
However, remember that implementing a governance tool is not the same as having governance in place. A robust framework, clear strategy, and prepared team are essential for effective IT governance. Tools support these efforts by providing operational efficiency and data insights, but they should not be considered a substitute for strategic planning and oversight.
Recommended reading
IT Governance: Definition, Frameworks, and Best Practices
Best IT governance software options
Many platforms help organizations manage IT governance, but they vary in scope, approach, and integration capabilities.
Below are six widely used options, each with features that support governance, compliance, and Risk Management.
2. IBM OpenPages
IBM OpenPages is a governance, risk, and compliance platform that offers AI-driven analytics and automation. Designed for large enterprises, it helps organizations manage IT risks, regulatory requirements, and policy enforcement.
IBM OpenPages features
- AI-powered risk analytics and reporting
- Customizable dashboards for governance tracking
- Automated regulatory compliance workflows
IBM OpenPages pros and cons
Pros: It’s scalable for enterprises with complex compliance needs. It includes AI-driven insights
Cons: It requires significant setup and customization, and it’s best suited for larger organizations.
IBM OpenPages pricing details
Pricing is enterprise-focused and available upon request.
IBM OpenPages user reviews and ratings
- Gartner rating: 4.1
- G2 rating: 4.2
"OpenPages has given us the tools to aggregate the risk data and make meaning out of it. The report generation time is rather slow, which may be a decisive disadvantage in risk situations that require timely reaction."
User review from Gartner, IT Manager
3. MetricStream GRC
MetricStream provides IT governance, risk, and compliance solutions tailored to highly regulated industries. It offers centralized risk assessment and policy enforcement, making it ideal for financial services and healthcare.
MetricStream IT GRC features
- Risk assessment tools with real-time reporting
- Automated Policy Management
- Compliance frameworks for industry regulations
MetricStream IT GRC pros and cons
Pros: It’s designed for strict regulatory environments and has customizable compliance workflows.
Cons: It can be complex to configure and may be too feature-heavy for smaller organizations
MetricStream IT GRC pricing details
Pricing is available upon request, with flexible deployment options.
MetricStream IT GRC user reviews and ratings
Gartner rating: 3.9
"MetricStream has made a perfect platform of handling on risk data. The centralized view and the less number of reports are the benefits of such a system. However, now and then, there are some issues arising in terms of data integration, which may affect the ultimate capability of the platform."
User review from Gartner, Senior Manager
4. LogicGate Risk Cloud
LogicGate Risk Cloud is a flexible platform that allows organizations to tailor their IT governance processes. It's known for its user-friendly interface and adaptability to various governance needs.
Features:
- Customizable governance workflows
- Risk quantification and financial impact
- Data Privacy Management
Pros and Cons:
Pros: High adaptability to organizational needs. Intuitive user interface.
Cons: May require additional configuration for complex processes — limited out-of-the-box integrations.
Pricing details:
LogicGate pricing is available upon request.
User reviews and ratings:
- G2 rating: 4.6
- Gartner rating: 4.6
"(I like) the ability to have a full end-to-end view of your security program and be able to tie the different modules together to get a full understanding of your security program that can be qualified and/or quantified in order to improve your security posture. Could get costly on the full set of modules required."
5. Archer IRM
Archer's platform is structured into multiple specialized modules, each addressing different aspects of GRC, such as Audit Management, business resiliency, IT & Security Risk Management, and third-party governance. This modular approach allows organizations to tailor their GRC programs to specific needs. Still, it also means that users may need to purchase or subscribe to these modules separately, which can increase costs and complexity.
Features:
- Risk Management automation
- Policy enforcement mechanisms
- Regulatory compliance tracking
Pros and cons:
Pros: It has a comprehensive automation module and strong data security features
Cons: Given its complex configuration process, getting started takes time and effort.
Pricing details:
Pricing is customized and available upon request.
User reviews and ratings:
- G2 rating: 3.6
- Gartner rating: 4.0
"It has stood the test of time overall, and in general can be customised to fulfill various use cases - albeit in a relatively basic, workflow-driven way. It is generally clunky to use for the end user, and clunky for those administering it. Overall, it has a dated look and feel."
User review from Gartner, IT Services Consultant
6. ServiceNow Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC)
ServiceNow GRC is designed to automate and streamline IT governance processes. It integrates seamlessly with IT Service Management and security tools, providing a unified platform for Risk and Compliance Management. The solution is known for its AI-driven automation capabilities, enhancing efficiency in governance tasks.
Features:
- AI-powered risk and compliance automation
- Integration with ITSM and security tools
- Actionable insights
Pros and cons:
Pros: Advanced automation and comprehensive integration capabilities
Cons: ServiceNow has rather high licensing costs. Complex customization processes.
Pricing details:
Pricing is customized based on organizational needs and requires direct consultation with ServiceNow.
User reviews and ratings:
- Gartner rating: 4.5
"The product is good for automating controls attestations, however there is a need to improve the interface/workflow on how to go about it. It takes quite a bit of training for end users to get used to/understand the workflow and the interface does not make it easier to adopt to it very quickly."
User review from Gartner, Controls Assurance Manager
In conclusion
To wrap up, it’s important to remember that while the right IT governance software can support your strategy, the real focus should be on your plan and how it aligns with your organization’s goals. No tool will work in isolation—it’s how you use it within the context of your overall IT governance approach that matters most.
Whether you’re prioritizing Risk Management, compliance, or resource allocation, the software should complement the way your organization already works. As we’ve discussed, there are plenty of options to consider, but each one has to fit with the processes and objectives that you’ve set up. The key is to find a solution that works within your framework, not just a tool that checks boxes.
