Governance Domain Types

Microsoft Purview Unified Catalog supports five out-of-the-box Governance Domain types. The type is a descriptor that helps explain the purpose of the domain; it does not change how the domain behaves.

Functional unit

Use for organisational or business units such as Finance, Human Resources, Sales or Marketing.

Line of business

Use for products, services, markets or subsidiaries that represent a distinct business line.

Data domain

Use for organisation-wide subject areas or key entities such as Customer, Employee or Product.

Regulatory

Use where the governance boundary is driven by compliance or regulation, for example GDPR, SOX or HIPAA.

Project

Use for collaborative programmes or initiatives that cut across normal organisational boundaries.

Choosing a type

The type should describe why the Governance Domain exists. Because there are no behavioural differences between the five types, organisations should choose the type that best communicates the domain's purpose and supports a consistent enterprise governance model.

Governance Domains can also be arranged in parent and child relationships, allowing organisations to build a hierarchy around these business-aligned boundaries.

PoC / Proof of Value recommendation

For an initial PoC / Proof of Value, consider Functional Unit as the starting type where the ownership policy assigns accountability by organisational function. If accountability follows another boundary, select the Governance Domain type that reflects the actual ownership model.

Ownership policy should drive domain design.