Four Steps to Improved Data Governance – A business-first approach

Getting started with data governance

Corporate leadership wants to minimize risk, increase insight, and improve operations. They need a strong a data governance program.

Now what?

Building data governance from the bottom up is difficult. It requires input from stakeholders throughout the organization. But too often, data governance arises as a siloed, overly-complex framework, one that leaves employees feeling disconnected. They don’t understand how data governance supports business goals or impacts their everyday work. At the same time, they’re asked to attend governance meetings, to align processes, to define terms, to provide insight into data usage. Governance strategy becomes bogged down in minutiae. It loses focus.

With no tangible improvement in insight, operations, or risk posture — and no clear return on investment — corporate leadership loses enthusiasm. They may even consider defunding governance efforts, losing out on their benefits altogether.

There’s a better way. Start your governance program with a business-first approach that engages employees, quickly delivers some high-value, low-effort wins, and establishes a foundation for growth.

This approach:
1. Links data governance to business goals
2. Prioritizes the governance of critical data
3. Builds engagement across organizational levels
4. Creates enthusiasm among employees by communicating value and celebrating successes

Here’s how you can get started.