In developing a data governance structure from the ground up, what are the first steps you would take?
Sort by:
Great thoughts from Chris, Yvonne, and Rebecca. I would add that placing a strong focus on educating people across the enterprise on the importance of data, collaboration on data standards and practices, and data governance is critical. Taking the time to help everyone learn and align on both the vision and practices will reduce friction as you implement governance and encourage everyone to take a more active role in supporting the governance activities.
Some may assume everyone understands the importance of data, and often it is clear to individuals what specific data is critical to their role or function but this perspective may include limiting assumptions from a more siloed perspective. In today's settings many types of data are useful for both their initial intended purpose and for additional value generating areas. Think, for example, about how data generated from a logistics operating team for creating more efficient routes is also valued by the customer when it powers features that allow them to track delivery status. A great data strategy and data governance program can help you better plan for the future while protecting your business today.
Introducing data governance in a broad conversation and going beyond a declared mandate or a small group of data focused functions can help you set the stage for lasting success. Best wishes!
- Gain leadership support, sponsorship, and commitment to review results regularly e.g. monthly
- Identify the key data attributes you are measuring and holding others accountable for
- Ensure every key data attribute has an owner, someone you can hold to account
- Ensure you have the reporting mechanisms in place to regularly and accurately monitor data accuracy
- Ensure there are clear 'consequences' for data inaccuracy including visibility to the leadership sponsors
If you don't have leadership support & sponsorship, you don't know what you're measuring, you can't measure it, and there are no 'consequences' for inaccuracy, no governance structure is going to work.
Exec support that that data governance is important, generate some common agreement on what data governance being in place looks like, and then go from there. You will need data champions and some framework for those champions to work under as a starting point. A policy would be early on as well.
NIST offers valuable guidelines that provide a structured approach to establishing effective data governance practices. Additionally, resources from the Data Governance Institute (DGI) offer practical guidance and methodologies for implementing data governance programs effectively.
Look for previous examples that can be learned from and built on top of. Organisations like Microsoft and McKinsey and others have examples in the public domain.