What is data governance?
Precisely defines data governance as an enterprise framework that aligns people, processes, and technology, helping them to understand data with the goal of transforming it into an enterprise asset. Data governance delivers visibility and understanding of the data. This strengthens accountability for data assets while enabling organizations to unlock analytical insights needed to improve business outcomes and fuel growth.
Why is data governance important?
Effective data governance ensures that data is managed in a consistent and controlled way, in line with the business's goals, ethics and values.
Most typically, data governance is about delivering trusted data, with business context, to create new possibilities and manage risks
Who is responsible for data governance?
Data governance requires a leader to steer the team - more and more frequently this is a business role such as a Chief Data Officer. Responsibilities are cross-functional, including stakeholders from business, IT and data functions, and may use terms such as data owner, data steward, subject matter expert, data privacy officer, and more. Any knowledge worker that depends on data has some responsibility for data governance
What is the difference between data governance and data stewardship?
Data governance and data stewardship are tightly related, but they are not the same thing.
So what is the difference?
Data governance is the system of decision rights and accountabilities for information-related processes.
Data stewardship, by contrast, is the implementation of data governance capabilities. These are the people, often in business, that lead a company’s information management program and are accountable for the data strategy, definition, requirements, and quality of the data under their stewardship.
We discuss this further in our blog: What is the difference between Data Governance and Data Stewardship?
What are some key components of a data governance program?
A comprehensive data governance framework should include policies, standards, procedures, guidelines, and tools for managing data across the organisation. It should also involve ongoing training and communication to ensure that all stakeholders understand their roles and responsibilities.
What are some challenges to implementing a data governance program?
Some common challenges include defining clear roles and responsibilities, gaining buy-in and support from stakeholders, ensuring data quality and consistency, and managing data across multiple systems and platforms. Effective communication and collaboration are key to overcoming these challenges and achieving a successful data governance program.
How does data governance relate to data privacy and security?
Data governance is an essential component of data privacy and security, as it provides the framework for managing sensitive and confidential data. This includes establishing policies for data access, handling, retention, and disposal, as well as implementing technical controls to protect against unauthorised access, theft, or loss of data.
How can I train my data stewards?
Through our partner, eLearningCurve, we offer specialist, online training to give you the skills you need for data governance.
Certified Information Management Professional for CDOs and the data office
Certified Data Steward for data stewards
Got a Question? 
