How do we implement a Data Governance Maturity Assessment that actually drives change?

The Promised Land

Data Governance promises much.  We’re told that managing our data will optimise our processes, enhance staff productivity and improve the bottom line. 

Managing our data will give us a competitive edge over our peers. 

Embracing these promises, more and more organisations are eagerly initiating data governance programs; keen to gain that competitive advantage or at the very least keep up with those around them who have already embarked on the journey.

Yet many organisations embarking on a data governance programme don’t see the level of change and impact they hoped for. 

Data governance goes from being an enabler to becoming a cost centre. 

Symptoms

We may see this exhibited in organisations where owners and stewards don’t clearly understand their responsibilities or have no clear means of measuring quality. 

Data owners know that they are responsible for a specific domain but don’t know what “good” necessarily looks like or what they need to do.  I have worked in more than one organisation where ownership was equated with attending a monthly meeting!

Maturity

But why is it that so many organisations seem to remain in this state for so long?

A big part of the reason is a poorly executed Data Governance Maturity Assessment. 

To properly assess the maturity and effectiveness of a data governance implementation we need to take into account 2 fundamental axes: the framework and the implementation. 

This can be seen in the following diagram:

Let’s unpack this.

Good Framework.  Poor Execution

On the one hand, many organisations are stuck in the “If we build it they will come” mentality.  They may pay a consultant to define a strong and best-in-class Data Governance Framework.  But without an implementation specifically tailored to that particular organisation, their data governance initiative will fail to deliver.   The Framework is in place but the organisation is not following it.

Good Execution.  Poor Framework

On the other side of the coin, there are those organisations who may have successfully implemented data governance in one form or another.  But - the implementation is more organic; not shaped by a robust framework.  This also inhibits the ability of the Data Governance Function to deliver.

Solution

So how can your assessment truly take both axes into account to isolate the root causes of failure to deliver?

We need to step away from simplistic exercises such as merely asking the business to answer a series of questions such as “Are data owners in place?” or Do you have a Data Governance Framework?” This is superficial at best. 

We need to dig down into the details:

·        Best of breed: Is the Framework sufficiently comprehensive when compared against best practice?

·        Personal touch: Interview owners, stewards etc. to ensure they truly understand their roles.

·        Clear controls: If there are specific controls in place, check they are articulated clearly.

·        Evidence-based: Check for evidence of the controls being performed effectively.

 When surveys and reality don’t match

In a previous initiative working to help an organisation mature their DG policies, I observed that a previous survey had rated one department as “high” on the implementation axis.

However, after I carried out a number of interviews with senior leaders it became clear that although many of the administrative workers were applying the policy, viritually none of the senior staff were aware of it or executing their responsibilities.

To rectify this I helped the organisation create an executive communications plan with video training and drop-in sessions, whilst also ensuring that future maturity assessments included in-person interviews to validate survey responses.

It is only by adopting these thought processes that you can accurately determine the maturity of an organisation and use that determination to drive the changes required.

In my next article we’ll explore how to create clearly defined controls, along with a range of sample controls to help you get started and compare to your own policies.

Subscribe to get future articles in this series.

--

Are you not seeing the expected change after initiating a data governance programme? Are you struggling to gauge your organisation's maturity?   

Book a call to discover how we can help you implement a robust data governance framework and mature your implementation.