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Summary paper: Holistic data governance

A high-level summary of the approach to data governance that guides implementation of the operational Data Governance Framework and use of Steady State Data Flow mapping. This paper was written by Kevin Sweeney.

Summary paper: Holistic data governance [PDF 340 KB]

Context/Problem

Approaches to data governance are typically based on a traditional political governance model, which is markedly hierarchical and fuelled by a top-down perspective.

This approach is designed to generate value primarily by capturing and delivering the experience and insights of those at senior levels and ensuring organisational vision and data strategy messaging is available when data assets are developed and leveraged.

However, a decidedly top-down approach can also engender a disconnection with organisational operational environments, so that in those contexts data governance is considered irrelevant or even worse, a burden, to staff.

A data governance approach based exclusively in top-down also does not inherently open corresponding channels for operational perspectives and experience to extend upward and influence strategic thinking. This can result in strategies and plans that are unrealistic or otherwise not feasible within existing operational realities, meaning outcomes are not achieved.

Moreover, without a practical value proposition for data governance, operational staff can become disconnected from the organisational data strategy delivered through the governance framework, potentially contributing to reduced levels of staff engagement.

Drivers for a new approach

To deliver in a meaningful way as data infrastructure, data governance needs to be relevant and able to operate effectively across all levels of the enterprise. Staff situated at different levels of the enterprise will necessarily maintain a view of data governance based in their own contexts, but it is also critical for the good of the organisation that these views align in a cohesive fashion.

The organisation’s approach to data governance therefore needs to be holistic in nature, ensuring not only that staff at a particular level derive benefit from it, but also that those same staff are equipped to govern data in conjunction with and in support of those operating at other levels.

ISO has published an international standard for data governance which provides a consistent set of accountability areas and data-specific parameters of those areas for the organisation, which is amenable to a holistic approach.

The opportunity to leverage these practical elements from the ISO data governance standard in conjunction with a perspective that treats data governance holistically, offers an option to increase the value proposition of data governance within the organisation.

A holistic data governance approach

Leverages elements of the published ISO standard on data governance [ISO-IEC 38505-1-2017 and ISO-IEC TR 38505-2-2018] applied across three general enterprise levels:

  1. Executive
  2. Management
  3. Operations

Employs a set of six data accountability areas from the the ISO standard as a consistent means of assessing data governance across the three enterprise levels:

  1. Collect
  2. Store
  3. Report
  4. Decide
  5. Distribute
  6. Dispose

Each enterprise level accountability area is measured in terms of three data-specific aspects of governance as delineated in the ISO standard:

  1. Value
  2. Risks
  3. Constraints

When defined in this way, these measures generate a “cascading scorecard” of consistent assessment across executive, management and operational levels, facilitating a joined-up view of data governance across the organisation, and a holistic approach overall (Figure 1).

The cascading scorecard with each of the levels and aspects of governance mentioned above.

Figure 1. Holistic Data Governance employing the ISO data governance standard

The scorecard approach results in an eighteen-cell matrix for each level, consisting of the six accountability areas expressed in terms of their value, risks and constraints.

The resulting output provides a valuable source of insights with which to develop a data strategy that aligns with existing organisational strategy and long-term plans. It can help an organisation identify and leverage the value of its data assets, in a realistic fashion (i.e., in the context of relevant risks and constraints).

The use of the holistic approach furthermore positions organisations to leverage an operational Data Governance Framework, including a steady state data flow map. Positioned within the Operations level, the data flow map provides an intuitive and effective means of expressing perspectives which can inform Management and Executive outputs (Figure 2). The decision criteria associated with steady states also provide a means of embedding policy and strategic considerations directly into operational workflow.

The three levels of holistic data governance is fed and feeds into the steady states data flow map

Figure 2. Leveraging steady state data flow mapping for the holistic data governance approach

At the same time, the holistic approach supports traditional top-down data governance and its use of oversight mechanisms (boards and committees) to reflect and deliver the authority and responsibilities of the organisation’s governing body. When data governance is considered holistically, the governing body is better positioned to manage its accountability across all organisational contexts and corresponding perspectives on data.

Outcomes/Benefits

When considered together, the value, risks and constraints measures help delineate three types of organisational current state in terms of data:

  1. What is currently being realised successfully. These opportunities require acknowledgement and continued support of existing conditions.
  2. What is not being realised and which the organisation is currently equipped to deliver. These are missed opportunities, requiring a revision of current conditions.
  3. What is not being realised and which the organisation is not currently equipped to deliver. These are potential opportunities, requiring a change of conditions.

The means available to organisations to respond to each of these states will vary, but may very well align primarily with one of the three enterprise levels as follows:

  • Current state 1: continued delivery of successful outcomes [operations]
  • Current state 2: revision of existing or development of new policy [management]
  • Current state 3: change to strategic goals and/or operating model [executive]

The use of a consistent assessment model across all three enterprise levels facilitates a whole-of-enterprise consideration of data governance, such that each level can contribute its unique perspective in a meaningful way.

  • Executive: Leaders in strategy and vision, providing direction and advice that promotes the success of the organisation within its wider environment.
  • Management: The perspective of what works best across and within the enterprise, providing the critical linkages between strategic advice and the practical realities that influence success.
  • Operations: Most knowledgeable about the practicalities associated with delivery, reporting on the realities of what will and will not work under current conditions.

Contact us

If you’d like more information, have a question, or want to provide feedback, please email datalead@stats.govt.nz.

Content last reviewed 02 July 2021.

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