Why we need data governance

We’ll start by discussing what we mean by data governance, what it covers, and why it is needed. Once we have a shared understanding, we’ll look at how we can promote effective data governance through data contracts, and finish by discussing the roles and responsibilities involved.

There are many definitions of data governance, and organizations implement it in different ways. Broadly, it is a combination of people, processes, standards, and technology that supports and promotes data that is accessible, usable, accurate, consistent, secure, and compliant.

The following diagram illustrates the data requirements supported by data governance using a combination of different programs:

Figure 5.1 – Data requirements supported by the different data governance programs

To gain a better understanding of what data governance is and why we need it, let’s explore the following topics in more detail:

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