Enterprise data governance encompasses all practices designed to ensure the strategic management, availability, quality and security of data. It is based on three pillars:
- informed decision-making ;
- good management of procedures and policies ;
- compliance with regulatory requirements and a number of standards (ISO 8000, for example).
A data governance policy is a regulatory obligation. Every company is responsible for the governance of its data. It must implement a transparent and accountable process, guaranteeing the traceability of information. These prerequisites help maintain the trust of stakeholders (both internal and external), and comply with regulations.
What to do?
One key strategy is to set up governance committees to ensure proper oversight.
Not to be confused with data management. Data governance, data management and data quality management are related principles, but they should not be confused! On the one hand, data governance evokes a strategic framework designed to guide corporate data policies and objectives. On the other, data and data quality management is about performing day-to-day operational tasks.
Aligning these practices relies on close coordination between the governance and management teams.
Benefits and challenges of enterprise data governance
The whole point of data governance is to optimize decision-making and operational processes, by strengthening control and validation methods. Ultimately, it must enable :
- improve data quality and reliability;
- reduce the risks associated with non-compliance ;
- gain greater visibility over the use of information ;
- boost efficiency and profitability.
4 steps to data governance
1 - Designate data managers
This role can be played by the key players in your company:
- data stewards ;
- CDO (Chief Data Officer);
- DPO (Data Protection Officer);
- safety experts ;
- Data Quality Managers.
Assign clear responsibilities for data quality and security. Together, you can set up supervisory processes for effective governance!
2 - Supervise data sharing
Data sharing and access must be subject to a clearly defined governance policy. By distinguishing between administrators and users, and by implementing the right communication mechanisms, you can ensure seamless collaboration between departments. At the same time, you'll benefit from taking an interest in secure sharing technologies such as data portals. These cloud-based solutions provide a further guarantee of security when it comes to the flow of information within your company - and beyond.
3 - Develop a clear methodology
Wondering how to build a collective momentum for data governance within your company? Start by developing clear, operational and standardized procedures. There are three essential steps to take:
- integrate governance into existing business processes;
- Communicate on this subject to ensure better adoption by all stakeholders;
- train staff in best practices and developments in data governance methodology.
4 - Analyze and adapt uses
Data users' needs may evolve over time. It is therefore crucial to remain attentive to their uses, in order to adjust policies and practices accordingly. And because communication is the driving force behind progress, don't hesitate to involve stakeholders through feedback sessions and workshops. You'll get sufficiently accurate feedback to make the right adjustments.
What tools are needed to govern data?
- Metadata management software. They enable meticulous monitoring of metadata to understand its origin, quality and use. They also enable rapid identification, reducing the risk of errors and facilitating the data governance process.
- Automated updating and authentication solutions. The market also offers automated tools for data cleaning, standardization and validation. These solutions guarantee data reliability, by detecting and correcting errors as soon as they appear.
- Governance platforms. These are designed to centralize policies, procedures and performance indicators. Their implementation and use facilitate corporate data governance on several levels:
- consolidation of data management processes ;
- continuous supervision ;
- detailed reports ;
- decision-making based on reliable information.
For many companies, data governance is still a rather vague concept. Yet it is fundamental to optimizing your decision-making and operational processes, and thus guaranteeing the stability of your business. Hence the relevance of using certain tools and methodologies to ensure data accuracy and quality!
