The following principles were developed to help organization, in order to set a strong foundation for Data Governance.
Leadership and Strategy
Successful Data Governance starts with visionary and committed leadership. Data Management activities are guided by a Data Governance strategy that is itself driven by the enterprise business strategy. Business Strategy –>> Data Governance Strategy –>> Data Management Activities.
Business-Driven
Data Governance is a business program, and, as such, must govern IT decisions related to data as much as it governs business interaction with data. As Business Interaction with Data is Governed by Data Governance, likewise, IT decisions related to Data is also Governed by Data Governance.
Shared Responsibility
Across all Data Management Knowledge Areas, data governance is a shared responsibility between business data stewards and technical data management professionals.
Multi-Layered
Data governance occurs at both the enterprise and local levels and often at levels in between.
Framework-Based
Because data governance activities require coordination across functional areas, the DG program must establish an operating framework that defines accountabilities and interactions.
Principle-Based
Guiding principles are the foundation of DG activities, and especially of DG policy. Often, organizations develop policy without formal principles – they are trying to solve particular problems. Principles can sometimes be reverse engineered from policy. However, it is best to articulate a core set of principles and best practices as part of policy work. Reference to principles can mitigate potential resistance. Additional guiding principles will emerge over time within an organization. Publish them in a shared internal environment along with other data governance artifacts.
