Introduction

The implications of customer experience management for business intelligence (BI) have sparked an ongoing and vibrant debate on LinkedIn. Even two months later, comments continue to pour in, reinforcing the consensus that BI projects, like any data-intensive initiatives, require a collaborative effort between business and IT for resounding success. This collaboration remains crucial regardless of who owns or controls the project outputs.

Driving Collaboration Through Data Governance

Data governance serves as the cornerstone for fostering collaboration between business and IT. As discussed in the post “Data Governance in a Big Data World,” effective data governance establishes a framework that facilitates collaboration and ensures IT’s alignment with business needs and priorities.

Transforming IT from Cost Center to Business Enabler

One recurring theme emerges from this collaborative approach: IT transcends its traditional role as a cost centre and evolves into a strategic business enabler.

With the implementation of robust data governance practices, IT gains relevance by delivering solutions that align with business objectives and operational requirements. It is important to highlight that data governance does not form part of IT governance, but is rather a discipline that brings together IT and business stakeholders to ensure appropriate decisions are made about data.

This shift in perception extends beyond BI, extending to other data-intensive projects such as ERP, CRM, and MDM. Data governance ensures these projects are precisely defined and deployed to meet business needs while engaging business stakeholders throughout the application lifecycle.

Value of Data Governance for IT

Data governance, when properly implemented, adds significant value to IT.

It showcases IT’s business-centric approach by establishing a strong connection between data and the intended business use. Through data governance, IT demonstrates its commitment to delivering results that align with the organization’s strategic goals, fostering a positive perception of IT’s relevance within the business.

Conclusion

In summary, the collaborative nature of BI projects and other data-intensive initiatives necessitates a robust data governance framework. By fostering collaboration between business and IT, data governance empowers IT to become a business enabler and ensures that applications utilize data as intended, thereby driving business success. Implementing data governance practices not only enhances IT’s relevance but also cultivates a business-centric mindset throughout the organization.