Data Governance Objectives and Challenges

In our previous post What is Data Governance? we discussed the basics of data governance and how it has progressed from its original remit of ‘Compliance and Security’ to a more rounded, user-centric definition. Getting data governance moving in the right direction in any organisation is important more so now than ever. In this post we’ll take a look at some of the key objectives and challenges involved.

Key Data Governance Objectives

Business Capability Improvement

If there is one phrase that sums up the overall reason for embracing data governance, this is probably it. If you’re not improving the business’s ability to do what is beneficial financially, either directly or indirectly, then people will question the whole point of the program. So with that in mind, what are we setting out to do and why?

There are a number of key areas that define what we are aiming to achieve with our data governance initiative. These can be formalised into a program strategy statement, as we’ll discuss later in the series. A suggestion on how to group your efforts is given below.

Compliance

Data regulation is gathering pace amidst criticism for having been lacking in the past. Organisations will need to be conversant with more laws and consequences of drifting from their responsibilities in these regards. Adhering to relevant laws and regulations regarding data privacy and protection is critical. The need to involve legally qualified personnel in this area is not to be underestimated. Greater investment in this area is required in certain industries such as Health Care and Finance.

Data Security and Sensitivity

The need to protect data from unauthorised access or breaches is a point that needs no preamble. What is often missed however is not just the threat from external parties but also that internally. There is a need to understand how internal use and misuse of data can have an impact. The identification and correct handling, retention and disposal of sensitive data is a particularly challenging issue.

Data Quality Improvement

Ensuring that data is accurate, timely, consistent, reliable and complete are just some of the drivers in establishing data trust. The old adage ‘garbage In – garbage out’ is never truer than in this area. Making data quality a key objective will add considerable value to your efforts in data governance.

Operational Efficiency

Streamlining data management processes will improve efficiency and reduce costs. Various aspects of data architecture will determine the degree to which these efficiencies will be achievable. Identification of unwanted duplication of data, redundant or legacy processing and other undesirable elements of the data management activities within the organisation are essential. Data Observability also plays a part here, allowing for identification of issues with data processing. This allows proactive management of the data workloads and corrective actions when required.

Decision-Making Support

Data analytics and business intelligence activities all benefit from the efforts made in data governance. Providing data consumers with accessible, trustworthy data is a key data governance objective. This is essential for supporting strategic business decisions.

Data Governance Challenges to Success

There are a number of key challenges generally encountered when attempting to implement a robust data governance program. These vary in degree based on factors such as industry, organisation size, data manageability and the general opinion towards such an undertaking. Each organisation’s efforts will meet with their own unique bumps in the road of course, however being mindful of common issues encountered helps navigate a path to success.

Cultural Resistance

The nature of data governance is an organisation-wide mindset to data in general, and will involve establishing processes and assigning responsibilities. If there is no clear understanding of the benefits of the program, it risks being perceived as ‘just more hassle’ or ‘more forms to fill’. These negative  connotations attached to the program from the start can be hard to remove. Make sure to send a clear message about the objectives and real benefits to data consumers that will result before moving to implement any changes.

Perceived Value

Given the varying degree of appreciation for a data governance program that will inevitably exist, there will be accompanying differences in opinion on its relevance. Look to appoint stakeholders who understand the real benefits of the program. These help champion the message within the organisation that data governance is not some ‘necessary evil’ or ‘something that just has to be done’. They can promote the benefits to all, either directly or indirectly that delivering on the objectives will bring. If a financial perspective on the benefits is required, this can be relatively easily achieved. Simple discussions around productivity aspects and risk mitigation will yield an appreciation of monetary value. It is advisable to assess early on the value the program will provide in empowering your data professionals. This ‘data value-add’ is often overlooked in favour of reducing risk from non-compliance and security concerns. All these benefits should be included when promoting the endeavour.

Inadequate Resourcing

Another key issue often faced when rolling out elements of data governance is the lack of understanding of the resourcing required. Often data ownership and stewardship duties are dropped unceremoniously into the laps of already overloaded or stretched managerial staff who are given few pointers on what their new additional role as ‘data owner’ or ‘data custodian’ or ‘data access approver’ really entails. The requisite amount of resource needs to be available if the role is to be done correctly. Failure to address this results in inevitable pushback, disengagement or mistakes due to overloading. Make allowances in workloads for induction, training, and execution of these new responsibilities.

Communication

A data governance program involves a lot of work which can be shared over a wide pool of resources. It is paramount to ensure clear and succinct communication streams are established as more people become involved. Large numbers of meetings discussing standards and policies with a lot of silent attendees is not the best use of time. A portal for sharing knowledge, together with chat platform channels is a much more efficient and flexible means of keeping everyone in the loop for developments and announcements. This frees people up to fit in their responsibilities around other work.

Documentation

There will undoubtedly be terms and concepts that some of those involved will not be familiar with. The usual rules apply about introducing these concepts and having glossaries and reference material to ease any learning curve. Establish a portal as the official source of information at the very start of the program. The structure of the documentation store will probably need to flex as things progress. Put in place a few foundational elements together with an approval process for content publishing. This will help ensure that things maintain an agreed structure and quality and tone of content. Encourage submissions from those within the program who will have skills and knowledge that will assist with these. Do not reinvent the wheel here however. There are a huge number of resources already out there to help with data governance in the form of frameworks, which we discuss in our series post Data Governance Frameworks.

Perceived Scale

Often the perceived  scale of the program can introduce issues with initiating and motivating those involved. It can appear to be a monumental undertaking ahead. For those directly tasked with getting things moving it is understandably a daunting prospect. Look at the work as a collection of high and lower priority tasks that can be spread over time and across teams. This is obviously preferable to a Sisyphean task for a central team. Resource your efforts accordingly, possibly looking for bringing in external subject matter experts where required. If you have managed to arrive at some ‘ballpark’ figure for the tangible benefits of the program this will help in determining your budget over time and allow you to invest accordingly.

Data Architectures

Depending on the maturity of your data architecture capabilities, you may face additional challenges from a data management perspective. You may be fortunate enough to have a well planned, future-proof and data consumer-focused landscape. It may provide good transparency and purpose to your various data assets. You may have arrived at a more ‘accidental architecture’. This will not be as well structured but is still functional and serves a need. Perhaps you are undergoing a ‘Digital Transformation’ initiative and things are very much in flux in this area.

The relative complexity, transparency and stability of your data estate will have a direct influence on how you address various objectives. Data Management and Data Security and Sensitivity will require additional focus in more complex environments. These challenges are not unsurmountable with the help of data governance and data management products and platforms. You may want to implement these to a greater or lesser degree as part of the program. We’ll touch on some of these solutions later in the series.

Evolving Regulations

As mentioned, data regulations are playing catchup. As such there will be a lot of movement in this area as more authorities weigh in, flex their powers and test the mood. If you are late to the game it may take time to get up to speed. Divide the tasks and prioritise, getting external suppliers in where expert resources are not available in-house.

Next Steps

Hopefully this article has given you a reasonable idea of what lies ahead whilst providing you with some points to be aware of when starting your data governance endeavour. In the next article we’ll discuss ways of working to start achieving our objectives.

Ready to Overcome Your Data Governance Challenges?

If you’d like to talk to someone about how to move forward with an effective data governance initiative please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Our data governance service is a flexible, coworking approach that provides assistance wherever you are on your journey.