Data Governance Consulting

Use our simplified approach to give your data users access to reliable and trusted information⁠—exactly when they need it⁠—so they can apply appropriate data insights to their decision-making.

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Featured Client

Data Governance Framework Unlocks New
Levels of Trust in Company Data

With a data strategy focused on iterative data governance, this healthcare giant started with metadata management to foster enhanced trust in their data. They standardized data definitions and established clear data lineage, setting them up for sustained growth built on high-quality data.

Read about their transformation with data governance

Avoid over-engineered data governance

Our “right-fit” approach to data governance is centered on simplifying the complicated realm of data governance. We work with our clients to make data governance approachable and achievable, and something that creates tangible value in phases.

Our philosophy drives successful, sustainable data governance

Practical, maintainable, and proportional

For a data governance program to be successful, it should be realistic – it should match your company’s needs, size, urgency, maturity, and capabilities. Your data governance program should align with your data strategy, making sure that data governance blends into everyday operations, and it should be designed to scale with your needs. 

Data governance is a journey, not a destination

Data governance should be an ongoing investment, not a project with start and end dates. We believe in a “just enough” approach to data governance that provides incremental value and promotes growth. As data governance activities expand and more people take on data governance responsibilities, each new component should be assessed and formally integrated into your program.

Data governance is not a software application or widget 

Establishing the right people and processes is critical and provides immediate value, long before implementing a tool. When it comes to investing in technology, we assess our clients’ existing tools and utilities that can be leveraged for data governance and ensure all new technology is intentionally implemented to avoid unnecessary spend. 

Data Governance Services

Whether you are creating a data governance program from scratch or looking to mature your existing program, we will work with you to make your data and analytics more accessible, trustworthy, and actionable to the organization.

Data Governance Program Management

We will make sure your data governance program is designed to be adopted. Starting with your organizational readiness, we will help you understand where gaps exist in your processes and people and then create an all-encompassing enablement plan. We specialize in education and training, change management, policies and procedures, and all aspects of organizational readiness.

Metadata Management

We will help you give meaning and definitions to all the data assets in your organization through the selection and implementation of data governance tools and utilities, including a  data glossary, data dictionary, data catalog, and data lineage. Depending on your analytics maturity, we will help you determine which artifacts are necessary and a practical plan for building and maintaining.

Master Data Management

In addition to ensuring you have the processes, standards, and policies in place to effectively govern data across all stages of the data lifecycle—we specialize in master data management so that your organization’s most critical data is centralized and trusted.

When it comes to emerging AI software, we take it seriously – adhering to laws and regulations and upholding ethical use of data.

Data Quality Program, Rules, and Procedures

When you commit to data governance, you need to know that your efforts are resulting in more strategic decisions driven by higher-quality data. We will work with you to establish data quality rules, define success criteria, implement technology, and automate your processes. We also design data quality programs that establish company-wide rules and procedures to ensure trusted data.

Data Governance and Acceptable Use Policies

We will help define corporate AI policies around acceptable use, data usage, and ethics to ensure corporate data remains secure and is used ethically.

Data Security and Privacy

Achieve regulatory compliance without the dread. We’ll help you navigate the complex landscape of regulatory requirements and help you classify, store, and manage your data in compliance with regulations such as GDPR and CCPA, avoiding fines and protecting your reputation.

Data Governance Q&A

10 Answers to Your Data Governance
Questions and Concerns

We answer common questions such as how to get stakeholder buy-in for data governance, where to start, what tools help with implementation, and more.

Answer: Your stakeholders need to know what’s in it for them. Consider the following to ensure they remain engaged with your data governance initiatives:

  • Engage stakeholders early on: Involve the ‘right’ stakeholders from the beginning. Seek their input, understand their pain points, and incorporate their perspectives into the data governance strategy. By involving them early on, you generate a sense of ownership and make them feel invested in the process. Note: We advocate for an iterative approach to data governance, zeroing in on individual problems or use cases for swift results. This strategy ensures our clients sidestep the pitfalls of involving the entire organization prematurely, eliminating potential distractions.
  • Align with organizational goals and the goals of the stakeholder: Delineate how data governance aligns with the organizational strategic objectives and data strategy. Illustrate how it can foster improvements in areas such as operational efficiency, customer experience, and innovation, supporting the broader vision and goals of the organization.
  • Educate on the benefits of having — and risks of not having — data governance in place:  Develop a comprehensive understanding among stakeholders by presenting the benefits and the risks associated with data governance. Detail how data governance enhances decision-making and data quality while proactively mitigating potential issues like data breaches and regulatory violations.
  • Get a quick win: Create a credible narrative by initiating an iterative data governance program that quickly shows tangible benefits, reinforces the value, and generates enthusiasm.
  • Foster open communication: Maintain a transparent communication channel, encouraging feedback and addressing concerns promptly, nurturing an environment of inclusivity and collaboration.
  • Motivate with demonstrated success: As you progress, continue to share success stories (in and outside your organization) to continually educate and motivate.

Answer: Implementing a data governance program can initially appear daunting, but with an iterative and tailored approach, your organization can simplify the process without minimizing impact.

Here’s a breakdown of how we determine a good starting point:

  • Focus on high-value use cases: We start by identifying high-impact use cases that align with your organizational objectives and challenges. We rank based on their potential to enhance data quality, improve decision-making, and optimize processes, while also considering associated risks, such as data breaches or operational disruptions.
  • Document the impact: The value of data governance becomes evident when its impact on business is clearly documented. We help you to define measurable metrics for each use case, perform an initial assessment to understand the current state, and monitor these metrics regularly to gauge the effectiveness of your governance initiatives. This tangible evidence justifies the initial investment and provides a foundation for continuous improvement.
  • Technical feasibility: We evaluate the technical aspects necessary for the practical implementation of a chosen use case. This includes understanding your data access capabilities, evaluating the existing data infrastructure and technology, and examining the integration potential with current systems. This ensures your team’s technical proficiency is aligned with the demands of the proposed use case.
  • Stakeholder collaboration: We engage key stakeholders and subject matter experts throughout the process. Their feedback is invaluable in validating use cases, updating them as organizational requirements evolve, and refining strategies in an iterative manner. This continuous feedback loop ensures alignment with dynamic business needs.
  • Measure ROI and identify quick wins: While long-term benefits are essential, spotting initiatives that promise immediate advantages can be pivotal. Early successes not only foster enthusiasm but also solidify commitment from stakeholders. By evaluating the return on investment and recognizing dependencies, you can prioritize initiatives that bring rapid value.
  • Pilot and learn: The benefit of piloting your governance efforts with a high-value use case is a more controlled setting where you can better control resources and perform clean analysis of your efforts. Learning from this pilot phase will inform refinements, enabling the confident scaling of your governance initiatives.

Answer: While technology plays an important role in enhancing the management and utilization of your organization’s data assets, success starts with establishing the right combination of people and processes before tool implementation.

When it comes time to invest in technology, our approach is distinct: we assess our clients’ existing tools and utilities for leverage in data governance, ensuring that any new technology is purposefully introduced to avoid undue expenses. Our priority isn’t to impose technology but to discern its necessity. If technology is deemed crucial, we guide our clients in selecting and deploying the most suitable tool for their specific needs.

Technology in data governance can be powerful because it aids in:

  • Framework implementation: Modern technology aids in deploying a robust data governance framework, which acts as the strategy’s backbone. It ensures consistent application of practices and procedures throughout your organization.
  • Data quality assurance: Technology automates the tracking and resolution of data issues, maintaining consistent, accurate, and reliable data for your organization.
  • Data and analytics management: Technology sets parameters for self-service analytics, preventing misuse and assuring appropriate data application, avoiding the “wild west” scenarios of data misuse.
  • Metadata management: Technology streamlines the management of data assets and their metadata. It offers tools to control and trace data assets, manage data access, and pinpoint data lineage across your organization.
  • Data security and compliance: In the face of regulations like GDPR, CCPA, and HIPAA, technology ensures compliant data storage and usage. It also acts as a safeguard against breaches and unauthorized data access, preserving the confidentiality of Personally Identifiable Information (PII).
  • Adaptability and scalability: Technology provides the agility to align with evolving organizational aims, market shifts, and data sources. It enables scalability in data governance efforts, matching your organization’s varying maturity levels.
  • Change management integration: Effective change management integration is streamlined with technology, ensuring well-defined roles, clear communication of changes, and efficient data literacy training dissemination.
See all data governance Q&A

How Can We Help?

Our offerings range from helping you kickstart a data governance program to planning for expansion, enablement, and even filling key roles in your data governance program. 

Launchpad Program (Kickstart)

We will launch data governance programs that deliver immediate ROI and demonstrate the potential for future growth, laying the groundwork for an enterprise-wide program.

Program Expansion

After establishing the groundwork, we can broaden the scope to other operational areas. We are experienced in engaging a wider audience and ensuring successful outcomes.

DG Technology Assessment/Enablement

We do not impose technology on our clients. If we conclude that technology is necessary, we will help you select and implement the appropriate tool to meet your need.

DG Team as a Service (Right Sized)

Our team of experts are prepared to help you implement a tailored approach to enable your organization.

Training

Our change management approach focuses on data literacy, orientation, and training to shift your culture to one which embraces and thrives with governance.

Data Governance Workshop

A guided session where we help you identify the most crucial use cases, determine immediate impact, and prioritize work that delivers the best results quickly.

Gain confidence in your data

Data governance breeds higher quality and more secure — data and creates transparency into data processes across the organization.

Why you need a data governance program:

Data Quality

Gain more trust in your data through data quality standards and processes, such as an inventory of data quality rules, established thresholds for data quality metrics, a regular cadence of quality metric reviews, and a defined process for root cause analysis and resolution for data quality issues.

Data Security and Privacy

Ensure the security of your data with defined data security sensitivity levels, rules for sensitive data and regulatory compliance, definitions for user roles, and defined polices for data exchange between systems, vendors, partners, and employees.

Transparency & Change Management

Provide clarity across the organization with documented data processes and procedures; a complete inventory of databases, tables, and columns; owners and stewards assigned to data subject areas; and defined data lineage for operational data integrations and ETL.

Data Governance Insights and Resources

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Featured Customer Stories

Our tailored approach to data governance streamlines complexities, empowering companies to provide access to trusted and reliable information across the organization.

View All Customer Stories

About Us

When you work with us, you get elite data analytics consultants who have experience solving the exact problems that you are facing.

Since 2002, we’ve been driven forward by one mission: transforming organizations with powerful data and analytics.

Our Data Governance Team consists of recognized and published thought leaders who are passionate about enabling data governance. We have worked with hundreds of companies with varying levels of maturity, from helping establish basic data governance principles and policies to implementing full-scale enterprise data governance for Fortune-level companies. 

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