Theory versus Real Life

In the space of data stewardship, while theory provides guidance star for the principles and practices that should ideally govern our data management efforts, reality often presents a web of unexpected challenges, organizational constraints, and practical considerations that can derail even the most well-conceived strategies.

This chapter delves into the reasons for this discrepancy, exploring the nuances that separate the ideal from the attainable in the world of data stewardship. We will examine how to navigate this divide, employing strategies to bridge the gap and align real-world actions with theoretical best practices. Furthermore, we will look at how benchmarking against industry standards can provide valuable insights and direction in our pursuit of effective data stewardship in the context of everyday business operations.

Let’s check out some lessons learned from real life:

• Understanding why there is a gap between theory and reality...