Learn how to assemble a robust team for enhancing data governance, ensuring compliance, and driving business success as an executive.

One interesting learning in my experience is that prior data governance experience is beneficial but certainly not a must. Data governance means different things across industries and sometimes renders itself to be to rigid in what it means for some professionals (e.g. coming from banking) while requiring a different perspective when moving to other fields. Looking for individuals with a combination of deeply caring about data compliance and quality combined with strong project/program management and communication skills have proven to be a successful mix in my group.

Any team can become robust and efficient if they align themselves with the Data Governance strategy of the Firm. To enable this, firstly the Data Strategy should be defined and have KPIs to track the progress. Thereafter the team who is the key driver of the strategy should comprehend the strategy completely and clearly. A team which is clear in it's goals would be efficient and robust

Last updated on Aug 6, 2024

You're aiming to enhance data governance. How can you assemble a robust team to back your efforts?

Enhancing data governance is a strategic move that can lead to significant improvements in how your organization manages and utilizes its data assets. To effectively implement and maintain data governance, you need a dedicated team of professionals who understand the complexities of data management and can work together to achieve common goals. This team should include individuals with diverse skill sets, such as data analysis, legal expertise, and business acumen, to ensure that all aspects of data governance are adequately addressed. By carefully selecting team members who are committed to the principles of data governance and equipping them with the necessary tools and resources, you can create a robust team that will support your data governance efforts and help your organization thrive in an increasingly data-driven world.

1 Define Roles

To build a strong data governance team, clear role definitions are paramount. You need a Data Governance Officer (DGO), responsible for overseeing the strategy and implementation of data governance policies. Data Stewards are crucial for managing the quality and life cycle of data within their departments. A Legal Expert is necessary to navigate compliance and regulatory matters. Technical Experts, including Data Architects and IT Security Analysts, ensure that the infrastructure supports data governance plans, while Business Analysts bridge the gap between data insights and business objectives. Each role is a piece of the puzzle, working in concert to uphold data integrity and accessibility.

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VARUN GHORPADE

Data Governance Lead certified (Collibra) | Azure certified | LLM | Cloud Data warehouse Certified (Informatica) | Data Analyst | ETL | Business Intelligence Developer | STAMP 4
Clearly outline the roles and responsibilities of each team member based on the RACI chart. Some important roles should be: Chief Data Officer (CDO): Oversees the data governance strategy and ensures alignment with business objectives. Data Governance Manager: Manages the day-to-day operations of the data governance program. Data Stewards: Responsible for data quality, metadata management, and data lifecycle management within specific domains. IT and Data Architects: Ensure the technical infrastructure supports data governance policies and standards. Compliance and Legal Experts: Ensure data governance practices comply with regulations and legal requirements.
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Rachel Lee

Certified Data Management Professional (CDMP®) | Data Strategy & Policy | Data Governance & Privacy
There are also the Data Owners who are essential for effective data governance. Data owners have specific responsibilities that include data security, access control, data lifecycle management, decision-making, compliance, risk management, and collaboration. Data Stewards should ideally have a strong collaborative relationship with Data Owners, creating an effective ecosystem to ensure data quality and data is strategically used, harnessing the full value of an organisation’s data.
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2 Recruit Experts

Recruiting the right experts for your data governance team is about finding individuals with the right blend of technical knowledge and business sense. Look for professionals who not only have experience with data management tools and practices but also understand how data impacts your business operations. A mix of internal hires who know your company's data landscape and external recruits who bring fresh perspectives can be effective. Always prioritize candidates who demonstrate a clear understanding of data privacy laws, ethical data use, and the importance of data quality in decision-making processes.

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Gil Gerstl

VP, Data Products, Governance, and Ops, Chief Data Office @ ADP | Harvard MBA
One interesting learning in my experience is that prior data governance experience is beneficial but certainly not a must. Data governance means different things across industries and sometimes renders itself to be to rigid in what it means for some professionals (e.g. coming from banking) while requiring a different perspective when moving to other fields. Looking for individuals with a combination of deeply caring about data compliance and quality combined with strong project/program management and communication skills have proven to be a successful mix in my group.
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3 Foster Collaboration

Fostering collaboration within your data governance team is critical for success. Encourage open communication channels and regular meetings to discuss progress, challenges, and strategies. It's important that team members from different departments and with different expertise understand each other's roles and how they contribute to the overarching goals. Create an environment where feedback is valued and knowledge sharing is commonplace. This collaborative culture will not only drive progress but also help identify potential issues before they become problems, ensuring a proactive approach to data governance.

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Tyler Fischella

Data Governance Practice Lead at Google Cloud | Data Governance Architect
Understand what motivates each of your teammates to keep working, ask “what do you enjoy doing that can contribute toward our objectives”, (i.e) learning enablement, project management, strategy, facilitation, tool studies, policy setting, user research, requirement gathering, case tracking, etc. Most people are most motivated to collaborate when they can take ownership of what they love to do, and the swim lane is defined. This allows them to share what they love without fear of it being trampled or being taken away.
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4 Set Objectives

Setting clear objectives for your data governance team is essential to guide their efforts. These should align with your organization's overall data strategy and business goals. Objectives might include improving data quality, ensuring regulatory compliance, or enhancing data security. Make sure these goals are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound (SMART). By providing your team with a clear set of targets, you empower them to focus their skills and resources effectively, measure progress, and adjust strategies as necessary to achieve desired outcomes.

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5 Provide Training

Providing comprehensive training is crucial for empowering your data governance team. This should cover your organization's specific data governance framework, relevant regulations like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and any specialized software or tools they will be using. Training should be ongoing to keep pace with the evolving data landscape. Investing in your team's education not only enhances their ability to perform their roles effectively but also demonstrates your commitment to data governance and can increase their engagement and retention.

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6 Measure Success

Measuring the success of your data governance team is about tracking progress against the objectives you've set. Develop key performance indicators (KPIs) that reflect the health of your data governance initiatives, such as the accuracy of data reports, the number of data breaches, or compliance audit results. Regularly review these metrics with your team to celebrate successes, learn from mistakes, and refine your approach. Remember, data governance is an ongoing process, and continuous improvement should be the goal.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Debajit Mondal

Data Governance
Any team can become robust and efficient if they align themselves with the Data Governance strategy of the Firm. To enable this, firstly the Data Strategy should be defined and have KPIs to track the progress. Thereafter the team who is the key driver of the strategy should comprehend the strategy completely and clearly. A team which is clear in it's goals would be efficient and robust
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You're aiming to enhance data governance. How can you assemble a robust team to back your efforts?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Define Roles

2 Recruit Experts

3 Foster Collaboration

4 Set Objectives

5 Provide Training

6 Measure Success

7 Here’s what else to consider

Data Governance

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You're aiming to enhance data governance. How can you assemble a robust team to back your efforts?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Define Roles

2 Recruit Experts

3 Foster Collaboration

4 Set Objectives

5 Provide Training

6 Measure Success

7 Here’s what else to consider

Data Governance

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

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