Data governance : A good practice framework for data management (Part 1)

In today’s fast-paced and highly competitive business world, data governance is essential. Organisations can now collect vast amounts of internal and external data, but they need the discipline to increase the value of that data, manage risk and reduce costs.

What is data governance?

Data governance is a set of processes, roles, rules, standards and metrics to ensure the effective and efficient use of information to help organisations achieve their goals. It defines the procedures and responsibilities for ensuring the quality and security of data within a company or organisation. It also defines who can perform what action, on what data, in what situation and by what method.

A clear data governance strategy is fundamental to any organisation dealing with big data and explains how the company can benefit from common and consistent procedures and responsibilities. The business drivers determine what data needs to be carefully controlled in your data governance strategy and the expected benefits. This strategy will form the basis of your data governance framework.

Data governance ensures that data roles are clearly defined, and that responsibilities are understood and accepted by everyone in the organisation. A well-designed data governance framework covers strategic, tactical and operational roles and responsibilities.