This type of program typically comes into existence in conjunction with a major system acquisition, development effort, or update that requires new levels of cross-functional decision-making and accountabilities.

What other types of groups and initiatives might want such a program focus? Enterprise initiatives such as

A move to Service Oriented Architecture (SOA), with its need for well-governed data
A new focus on Metadata
A Master Data Management (MDM) initiative
Enterprise Data Management (EDM)
Business Process Reengineering (BPR)
Standardization on platforms
Changes to systems due to new business focus or Merger and Acquisitions activity

A charter for this type of program may hold Data Governance and Stewardship participants accountable to:

Ensure consistent data definitions
Support architectural policies and standards
Support Metadata Programs, SOA, Master Data Management, Enterprise Data Management (EDM)
Bring cross-functional attention to integration challenges
Identify stakeholders, establish decision rights, clarify accountabilities

As you perform the activities needed to gain support and funding, remember that your program may plan to address multiple focus areas. Each new effort should be introduced using the seven steps of the life cycle. Even specific governance-led projects, such as creating a set of data standards, will want to follow the Data Governance Life Cycle steps.

Governance and Alignment

Data Governance is a balancing act. On the one hand, you need to exert control over how groups create data, manage data, and use data. On the other hand, you need to promote appropriate levels of flexibility. You need to ensure that data-related efforts support the...

Working with Data Stewards

Approaches to Assigning Data Ownership and Stewardship Organizations can take multiple approaches to assigning Data Owners and Data Stewards for enterprise data. In doing so, they need to consider several factors and answer the following questions.Question #1: Should...

Focus Areas for Data Governance: Policy, Standards, Strategy

This type of program typically comes into existence because some group within the organization needs support from a cross-functional leadership body. For example, companies moving from silo development to enterprise systems may find their application development teams...

Defining Organizational Structures

There is no single “right” way to organize Data Governance and Stewardship. Some organizations have distinct Data Governance programs. Others embed Data Governance activities into Data Quality or Master Data Management programs.

Focus Areas for Data Governance: Privacy, Compliance, Security

This type of program typically comes into existence because of concerns about Data Information Security controls, or compliance. Compliance, in this context, may refer to regulatory compliance, contractual compliance, or compliance with internal requirements.This...