Data Governance For The Executive
Data is the most unique asset in your organization. Unlike traditional assets, data is exceptionally dynamic and can change its physical characteristics, logical characteristics, value, and ownership at indiscriminate points in time. Additionally, data encounters the broadest range of influencers throughout its lifecycle. The transformations that occur at the hands of these influential factors ultimately determine the usability and value of the information.  Perhaps its most distinctive characteristic is that data is fluid. Fluid in the sense that it passes through multiple people, processes, technologies, business units, organization structures, and cultures from the time it originates in the organization until it is consumed for business purposes. During its life cycle, data engages various so-called owners, users, responsible parties, casual bystanders, good intentions, and blurred lines of authority and accountability. In each case, these touch-points have an opportunity to either improve or deplete the value of data based on their actions or inactions. This dynamic ecosystem is what gives data its well-earned designation as a living asset. Much like a living organism its behavior, health, growth, and potential are highly influenced by a number of ongoing environmental factors. This alone makes it arguably the most difficult asset to understand and manage. --Chapter 1Finding business benefit let alone compelling value can be a daunting task for anyone in the data governance space. The key to uncovering the value of this discipline is to first look at it from a holistic perspective rather than a single project or task. Second is to recognize that while there may be short-term business benefits the greatest value comes with the maturity of the program. Third is to identify with the fact that it delivers both tangible and intangible benefits that flow directly and indirectly to the bottom line. Finally, it is to break this discipline down into manageable parts in order to understand where specific benefits reside and how they reflect in the company financial statements.  At a high level, data governance benefits can be found within five primary areas: 1) Data governance program infrastructure (Program) 2) Data management operations 3) Projects 4) Business operations 5) Organization strategy and policy ...... It is within this collection of topics that organizations can expect to find the true value for data governance. However, the depth and breadth of each of these topics is extensive and that is why the next five chapters are dedicated to these very subject matters. --Chapter 3Transparency is possibly the greatest benefit of a data governance initiative. We are reminded everyday about the need for transparency in private and public sectors. Whether mandated or not, most everyone agrees that it probably a good thing. Unfortunately, most organizations don t know how to go about creating a lucid culture nor do they always understand the value of it. Data governance introduces a business process that is known to proactively create transparency and deliver a number of benefits from it. A well-formed and well-represented data governance program drives transparency by the very nature of its being. It brings together business and IT and a meeting of the right minds that simply does not exist in your company today. In doing so, it uncovers unthinkable opportunities and risk across the board. Additionally, this process elevates the level of education and decision making within the company. --Chapter 4