Establishing a Data Governance Organization

This chapter will give you an overview of the steps needed to establish a data governance structure. It will cover the importance of establishing data governance bodies, such as a data governance team structure, and how to foster a data culture within the organization. It will also explain the importance of defining key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the success of the data governance program. This will help you with the knowledge and tools to create a successful data governance structure and measure its success. The chapter will also provide practical advice on how to create a data governance roadmap and set up a data governance team.

We will explore the following topics to help you jumpstart the data governance journey:

• Establishing data governance bodies
• Creating a data governance roadmap
• Defining KPIs

Establishing data governance bodies

Establishing data governance bodies is a vital step in the process of implementing effective data governance within an enterprise. The chief data officer (CDO) will lead the data steering committee (DSC) to propose the data team hierarchy to the management committee for approval. This collection of talent is not random, but rather a carefully curated team designed to ensure that the company’s data is properly managed, protected, and leveraged for maximum value. Let’s discuss how we can build a team and define a team structure for your data governance program.

Building your team

People are the assets of your organization. They are also the competitive edge of your company. Formulating a data governance team with the right talents is the key to success. This involves assembling a group of individuals, each with unique skills and expertise, who will be responsible for strategic and operational aspects of data governance. Here are...

Creating a data governance roadmap

Constructing a data governance roadmap is pivotal in establishing a data governance structure. This roadmap outlines the program’s objectives, implementation timeline, required resources, and progress monitoring plan. Here are some vital considerations when crafting a data governance roadmap:

1. Define objectives: Begin by delineating clear goals for the data governance program. Aligning these with the organization’s overall strategy ensures a focus on achieving quantifiable results. For instance, an objective might be to enhance data quality by 20% in the first year.
2. Identify stakeholders: Recognize those within the organization who have an interest in the data governance program. This could range from executives and IT staff to business users. For example, the marketing team might be stakeholders, as improved data quality can enhance their targeting efforts.
3. Form a data governance team: This team oversees the data governance...

Summary

This chapter has provided an overview of the steps needed to establish a data governance organization. It has discussed the importance of establishing data governance bodies, such as a data governance team, and how to foster a data culture within the organization. It has also explained the importance of defining KPIs to measure the success of the data governance program. Finally, we have practical advice on how to create a data governance roadmap and set up a data governance team.

In the next chapter, we will shine a spotlight on the roles and responsibilities of data stewards, including best practices for managing data quality and classification.