Standards for Top Management

Develop your business with ISO standards

Standards for top management are structured, reusable frameworks that help leaders align strategy, governance, compliance, and operations—enabling better decision-making, performance, and accountability across the organization.

This guide supports executives and leadership teams in understanding, developing, and adopting standards that support strategic management objectives.

It is designed for a variety of users, including CEOs, compliance officers, CIOs, and other senior leaders.

GETTING STARTED

Introduction to the guide

Introducing the framework
Strategic standards provide a common language and structure for leadership decisions—supporting consistent governance, risk management, digital transformation, and regulatory alignment.

Different types of standards
These include management system standards (e.g. ISO 9001, ISO/IEC 27001), governance frameworks (e.g. ISO 37000), conformity assessment standards (e.g. ISO/IEC 17000 series), and more.

When to use ISO standards
Standards become critical during organizational change, market expansion, digital transformation, or when addressing compliance and performance gaps.

How to become a Standardshero
Executives play a crucial role in championing the adoption and consistent application of standards that create long-term value.

Find relevant standards

How to identify standards
This section helps you explore national and international standards relevant to top management, including ISO, IEC, and industry-specific bodies.

How to evaluate a standard
Guidance on assessing alignment with your organization’s goals, stakeholder expectations, and compliance requirements.

Creating impact through standards

Why standards matter at the top
Strategic standards enhance credibility, enable cross-functional alignment, and support value creation. Successful adoption requires clear leadership intent and stakeholder engagement.

Standard implementation learnings
Executives share insights on what worked, what failed, and how to navigate internal resistance and external requirements when embedding standards.

Creating and governing standards

Creating new standards (coming soon)
When existing frameworks fall short, leaders may need to co-create standards through alliances, industry forums, or internal working groups.

Managing change in standards (coming soon)
Clear governance over versioning, adoption, and stakeholder engagement strengthens the relevance and sustainability of a standard.

How to use this guide

This resource supports your journey as a leader in selecting, adopting, and governing standards that strengthen your organization’s management system and strategic capabilities.

About this guide

This guide empowers senior leaders to navigate the creation, adoption, and impact of standards for top management. It supports a range of roles, from governance and compliance to innovation and enterprise leadership.