What is the difference between a document owner and a document custodian in SOP governance?

• A. Custodian manages the content and updates.
• B. Owner is responsible for content; custodian manages storage, access, and distribution controls.
• C. Owner and custodian are the same role.
• D. Custodian writes the SOP.

Answer: (B)

In SOP governance, responsibilities are split between what content says and how it is handled as a document. The owner is the one accountable for the material itself—its accuracy, alignment with policies, and timely updates or approvals when practices or regulations change. The custodian, on the other hand, handles the logistics of the document: where it’s stored, who can access it, and how it’s distributed or versioned. They manage storage controls, access permissions, distribution workflows, and retention, ensuring the right version is available to the right people.

This separation is essential because it clarifies accountability for the content (owner) and security and accessibility of the document (custodian). The option that assigns content updates to the custodian mixes these roles, which isn’t how governance typically works. The idea that the two are the same role or that the custodian writes the SOP misunderstands who is responsible for the content versus who manages its storage and access. The intended distinction is exactly that: the owner is responsible for the content; the custodian manages storage, access, and distribution controls.