Data governance operating models

Data Governance Concepts

Courtney Smith

Strategic Initiatives Manager

What is a data governance operating model?

How an organization operates around its data

  • Guidelines for interactions between roles
    • Decision-making responsibility
    • Program direction
    • Policy enforcement
    • Business unit oversight

People standing next to a checklist

Data Governance Concepts

Benefits of operating models

  • Operating models provide:

    • Clear governance structure
    • Defined roles, responsibilities, processes

  • Leads to:

    • Improved communication
    • Better teamwork
    • Increased ownership and accountability
    • More efficient workflows and processes
    • Better chances of success!

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Data Governance Concepts

Operating model types

Centralized

A figure to represent a centralized model

Decentralized

A figure to represent a decentralized model

Federated

A figure to represent a federated model

Data Governance Concepts

Centralized operating model

  • DGO defines and enforces the framework

Benefits:

  • Single enforcement authority
  • Clear focus on policies and standards
  • More efficient decision-making
  • Best for organizations with low data management maturity

Challenges:

  • May become too bureaucratic
  • Enterprise over business-specific focus

Figure representing a centralized model

Data Governance Concepts

Decentralized operating model

  • Data Governance Committee drives decisions

Benefits:

  • Easy to establish
  • Representation across business lines
  • Provides businesses with autonomy

Challenges:

  • Takes longer to reach decisions
  • Coordination and resource participation can be challenging

Figure representing a decentralized model

Data Governance Concepts

Federated operating model

DGO provides centralized capabilities for businesses to leverage based on their needs

Benefits:

  • Centralized strategy, policies, tools
  • More flexible / Adaptable
  • Enterprise and Business level focus

Challenges:

  • Requires high data management maturity
  • Must have skilled, influential leaders and data expertise across businesses

Figure representing a federated model

Data Governance Concepts

Adjusting your operating model

  1. Select the best model that fits the needs of your organization
  2. Periodically evaluate effectiveness
  3. Adjust your operating model accordingly
  4. Assess data management maturity
  5. Identify material changes in company size

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Data Governance Concepts

Let's practice!

Data Governance Concepts

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