By Jim Orr, Director, Enterprise Data Strategy, Harte-Hanks Trillium Software
The intriguing thing about data governance is that there never seems to be a right or wrong answer to anything you do. Rather than hold steadfast to the virtues of planning a data governance project via one standardized method, I instead, initially tout general best practices and methodologies that will increase your odds of success, knowing that one customer’s solution will be quite different from another. To some folks, this might seem too simplistic early on, but in the end, it really makes a lot of sense, especially for this dynamic discipline. The key is asking a lot of questions about data governance goals and needs to learn more about the customer, instead of simply talking and trying to sell a solution that won’t help them.
For example, when it comes to data governance there are a variety of elements that determine where, when, why, and how a company should approach a project. Some of the most prevalent of these include:
- Company size and complexity
- Industry
- Business drivers
- Business processes and technology
- Regulations
- Data volumes and type of data
- Executive awareness and support
- Ability to execute
- Funding
To complicate matters, none of these attributes are identical from one company to the next. In fact, because companies are so different, there are no data governance programs that look remotely the same, even between organizations in the same industry!
Just this past week, I spoke to two very contrasting organizations. One was a multi-billion dollar/multi-national insurance organization and the other a 75 person contractor overseeing government programs and grants. Both had legitimate and similar data governance needs, but each will have very different solutions with different results and final goals.
With that said you can understand my dilemma when I’m commonly asked to explain exactly how data governance will or should work in a prospective organization. I may have a general idea but the real answer is that I never know for sure until I’ve had an opportunity to understand the finer points of the company’s business.
Companies really should keep this in mind when researching and planning for data governance. While it is important for an organization to hear about the success and case studies of similar companies in their industry, it is infinitely more important to look to the cross-industry best practices and methodologies that generated the success. You need to then apply these best practices to your own individual organization to create your customized data governance program and process that will succeed and generate the results that you need.
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