Companies in the 21st century are constantly worried about the nature of their data. They are uncertain as to how that data should be controlled and how data must be kept safe. A new company embraces cloud computing or biometric security measures nearly every day. These efforts fall under the greater umbrella of data management. Data governance, on the other hand, is often ignored by these companies. Management approaches are inherently dubious if a company does not assess responsibility and delegate tasks in a competent data governance framework.
Data governance is the process of managing data and making decisions about how that data should be accessed and used throughout the structure of a company. There are a number of subsets under a data governance framework. Subsets for what is data governance in all companies include accessibility, security, and transfer protocol. There is also the question of data storage and how data should be viewed, reviewed, and purged over its life cycle.
All of these questions must be handled by one or more people working together. Governance creates the framework necessary for handling these questions. It crafts a structure and set of procedures for making changes and additions to a data management system. Governance plans create responsibility and increases the chances that changes will be made and mistakes will be fixed with regards to a data management system.
How to improve the governance of data
The best way to improve control over data systems is by writing clear rules that delineate who is in charge of what. There must be an individual or team who is responsible for all governance issues. This person or group should make decisions about new technology and security updates while informing all relevant members of senior management.
The person or group in charge of data must keep all of the other companies informed about their decisions. They must not completely change data systems without receiving and responding to input from the employees who will be effective. Finally, there must be at least some flexibility in the governance structure. Companies must be able to remove employees who are unable or unwilling to meet their assigned governance tasks.
What to do
Any company worried about better governance of data needs to contact a professional in the field. The professional will look at their governance framework and study the individuals currently involved in governance. Then, these individuals will present a plan that a company can start to follow. Professionals may suggest that a company send its employees to training or hire a new employee experienced in the governance of data and management. Finally, they need a plan and a set of procedures to implement that plan. This plan must have a timetable that is subject to change and input from at least some of the top executives in a company.
Companies without a system governing data have a lack of accountability and a lack of cohesion. They need to start changing their data structures tomorrow. Companies need to break their data problems down into small pieces and send employees out who will be able to properly implement them. A coherent governance structure allows companies to remain flexible and keep their data as safe, accessible, and up-to-date as possible.