Back to Frameworks

ISO 37000:2021

International (ISO/TC 309); adopted as BS ISO 37000:2021, SIST ISO 37000:2021 and others
v2021 (first edition)
4 domains
51 controls

The ISO guidance standard for governing bodies: the governance conditions (integrated governance, delegation, the governing body's composition and competence) and eleven principles, purpose at the centre, four foundational (value generation, strategy, oversight, accountability) and six enabling (stakeholder engagement, leadership, data and decisions, risk governance, social responsibility, viability over time), each with its key aspects of practice. Built from the complete copy read in full; guidance, not certifiable; the parent of ISO 37004, 37005, 37009 and ISO/IEC 38500 in the graph.

Verified

ISO 37000:2021 is a compliance framework from International (ISO/TC 309); adopted as BS ISO 37000:2021, SIST ISO 37000:2021 and others with 4 domains and 51 controls that map to 12 other frameworks. The largest domains are 6.6 to 6.11 Enabling principles: stakeholder engagement, leadership, data and decisions, risk governance, social responsibility, viability over time – ISO 37000:2021 (21 controls), 6.2 to 6.5 Foundational principles: value generation, strategy, oversight, accountability – ISO 37000:2021 (18 controls), Clause 4 The governance of organizations: conditions, delegation, the governing body – ISO 37000:2021 (8 controls). Every control below carries what it requires and what an assessor expects to see.

Maintained by Gerard BlokdykControl text last updated

Framework summaries on this platform are interpretations grounded in the published source, for educational and compliance planning purposes. They do not reproduce or replace the official standards. Refer to the authoritative source for the definitive text. Framework names and trademarks belong to their respective organisations.

Framework Domains (4)

6.1 Purpose (primary principle) – ISO 37000:2021

4 controls
Controls in the 6.1 Purpose (primary principle) – ISO 37000:2021 domain of ISO 37000:2021: 4 controls
CodeTitle
iso-37000-2021::6.1.16.1.1 Principle
iso-37000-2021::6.1.3.26.1.3.2 Define the organizational purpose
iso-37000-2021::6.1.3.36.1.3.3 Define the organizational values
iso-37000-2021::6.1.3.46.1.3.4 Commit to the organizational purpose and values

6.2 to 6.5 Foundational principles: value generation, strategy, oversight, accountability – ISO 37000:2021

18 controls
Controls in the 6.2 to 6.5 Foundational principles: value generation, strategy, oversight, accountability – ISO 37000:2021 domain of ISO 37000:2021: 18 controls
CodeTitle
iso-37000-2021::6.2.16.2.1 Principle
iso-37000-2021::6.2.3.16.2.3.1 General: the value generation model
iso-37000-2021::6.2.3.26.2.3.2 Define value
iso-37000-2021::6.2.3.36.2.3.3 Create value
iso-37000-2021::6.2.3.46.2.3.4 Deliver value
iso-37000-2021::6.2.3.56.2.3.5 Sustain value
iso-37000-2021::6.3.16.3.1 Principle
iso-37000-2021::6.3.3.1.16.3.3.1.1 Set strategic outcomes
iso-37000-2021::6.3.3.1.26.3.3.1.2 Establish governance policies
iso-37000-2021::6.3.3.2.16.3.3.2.1 Engage with strategic planning
iso-37000-2021::6.3.3.2.26.3.3.2.2 Steer the strategy
iso-37000-2021::6.4.16.4.1 Principle
iso-37000-2021::6.4.3.16.4.3.1 General: the four oversight duties
iso-37000-2021::6.4.3.26.4.3.2 Oversee performance
iso-37000-2021::6.4.3.36.4.3.3 Obtain assurance
iso-37000-2021::6.5.16.5.1 Principle
iso-37000-2021::6.5.3.26.5.3.2 Demonstrate accountability
iso-37000-2021::6.5.3.36.5.3.3 Hold to account

6.6 to 6.11 Enabling principles: stakeholder engagement, leadership, data and decisions, risk governance, social responsibility, viability over time – ISO 37000:2021

21 controls
Controls in the 6.6 to 6.11 Enabling principles: stakeholder engagement, leadership, data and decisions, risk governance, social responsibility, viability over time – ISO 37000:2021 domain of ISO 37000:2021: 21 controls
CodeTitle
iso-37000-2021::6.10.16.10.1 Principle
iso-37000-2021::6.10.36.10.3 Key aspects of practice
iso-37000-2021::6.11.16.11.1 Principle
iso-37000-2021::6.11.3.26.11.3.2 Articulate an integrated view of value generation
iso-37000-2021::6.11.3.36.11.3.3 Assess system relationships
iso-37000-2021::6.11.3.46.11.3.4 Govern for organizational viability over time
iso-37000-2021::6.6.16.6.1 Principle
iso-37000-2021::6.6.36.6.3 Key aspects of practice
iso-37000-2021::6.7.16.7.1 Principle
iso-37000-2021::6.7.3.26.7.3.2 Demonstrate effective leadership
iso-37000-2021::6.7.3.36.7.3.3 Ensure ethical leadership
iso-37000-2021::6.7.3.46.7.3.4 Reconcile dilemmas
iso-37000-2021::6.8.16.8.1 Principle
iso-37000-2021::6.8.3.2.16.8.3.2.1 Ensure effective decision-making within the governing body
iso-37000-2021::6.8.3.2.26.8.3.2.2 Ensure effective decision-making throughout the organization
iso-37000-2021::6.8.3.36.8.3.3 Recognize data as a strategic resource
iso-37000-2021::6.8.3.46.8.3.4 Ensure responsible data use
iso-37000-2021::6.9.16.9.1 Principle
iso-37000-2021::6.9.3.26.9.3.2 Set the tone for the management of risk
iso-37000-2021::6.9.3.36.9.3.3 Practise effective risk management
iso-37000-2021::6.9.3.46.9.3.4 Oversee risk management

Clause 4 The governance of organizations: conditions, delegation, the governing body – ISO 37000:2021

8 controls
Controls in the Clause 4 The governance of organizations: conditions, delegation, the governing body – ISO 37000:2021 domain of ISO 37000:2021: 8 controls
CodeTitle
iso-37000-2021::4.14.1 General
iso-37000-2021::4.2.14.2.1 General
iso-37000-2021::4.2.24.2.2 Governance and delegation
iso-37000-2021::4.2.34.2.3 Governance and management
iso-37000-2021::4.2.44.2.4 Governance and sustainability
iso-37000-2021::4.2.54.2.5 Governance and stakeholders
iso-37000-2021::4.3.14.3.1 Composition and structure
iso-37000-2021::4.3.24.3.2 Competence

Maps to 12 other frameworks

110 total controls
OECD/G20 Principles of Corporate Governance
6 source controls mapped|5 target controls covered
5%
WHO Global Competency Model
6 source controls mapped|6 target controls covered
5%
Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) and Areas of Worklife Survey (AWS) Model
5 source controls mapped|3 target controls covered
5%
Argyris Double-Loop Learning
5 source controls mapped|6 target controls covered
5%
Kotter 8-Step Change Model
4 source controls mapped|3 target controls covered
4%
Hersey & Blanchard Situational Leadership Model
4 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
4%
Senge Fifth Discipline - Learning Organization
4 source controls mapped|5 target controls covered
4%
ISO 37001:2016
4 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
4%
VUCA Leadership Framework
3 source controls mapped|4 target controls covered
3%
COSO Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013)
3 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
3%
Kolb Experiential Learning Cycle
2 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
2%
ISO/IEC 38500:2024
1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
1%

Coverage is not the same as your position

This page shows what ISO 37000:2021 overlaps with in general. Where your organisation actually stands, against the standard you are going for and the certifications you already hold, is a different question. Same graph and the same recorded refutations, scoped to you rather than to a pair.

The Compliance Position Diagnostic, $5,000 fixed, ten business days

What is ISO 37000:2021 and who does it apply to?

ISO 37000:2021 is a compliance framework from International (ISO/TC 309); adopted as BS ISO 37000:2021, SIST ISO 37000:2021 and others with 4 domains and 51 controls. The ISO guidance standard for governing bodies: the governance conditions (integrated governance, delegation, the governing body's composition and competence) and eleven principles, purpose at the centre, four foundational (value generation, strategy, oversight, accountability) and six enabling (stakeholder engagement, leadership, data and decisions, risk governance, social responsibility, viability over time), each with its key aspects of practice. Built from the complete copy read in full; guidance, not certifiable; the parent of ISO 37004, 37005, 37009 and ISO/IEC 38500 in the graph. It is used by organisations to establish and maintain compliance with industry standards and regulatory requirements.

What does ISO 37000:2021 actually require?

ISO 37000:2021 has 51 controls organised across 4 domains. The largest domains are 6.6 to 6.11 Enabling principles: stakeholder engagement, leadership, data and decisions, risk governance, social responsibility, viability over time – ISO 37000:2021 (21 controls), 6.2 to 6.5 Foundational principles: value generation, strategy, oversight, accountability – ISO 37000:2021 (18 controls), Clause 4 The governance of organizations: conditions, delegation, the governing body – ISO 37000:2021 (8 controls). Each control defines specific requirements that organisations must implement to achieve compliance.

If I already comply with another framework, how much of ISO 37000:2021 do I already cover?

ISO 37000:2021 maps to 12 other compliance frameworks. The top mapping partners are OECD/G20 Principles of Corporate Governance (5% coverage), WHO Global Competency Model (5% coverage), Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) and Areas of Worklife Survey (AWS) Model (5% coverage). Use our comparison tool to explore control-level mappings between frameworks.

How do I implement ISO 37000:2021?

Start your ISO 37000:2021 compliance journey by running a self-assessment on our platform to identify your current compliance posture. Our AI advisory can answer specific questions about ISO 37000:2021 requirements, and cross-framework mapping helps you leverage existing controls from other frameworks you may already comply with. Create a free account to access all 51 controls and track your progress.

Start Your Compliance Journey

Create a free account to run self-assessments, get AI advisory, and track your compliance progress across 1,121 frameworks.

Get Started Free →

Free forever, no credit card required