Introduction

Data governance and data stewardship are closely related concepts, but it is important to recognize their distinctions. While data governance focuses on the structures, roles, responsibilities, and processes, data stewardship involves the practical implementation of these principles. In this article, we will delve deeper into the dissimilarities between these two essential aspects of effective data management.

Data Governance

Definition and Scope

Data governance entails the system of decision rights and accountabilities for information-related processes. Its primary objective is to establish organizational structures that facilitate effective governance. This involves defining roles and responsibilities for data stewardship, implementing processes, and establishing key performance indicators (KPIs) to regulate data usage. The scope of data governance encompasses a broad range of areas, including data protection, data utility, data value, and data ethics.

The Role of Data Governance

Data governance does not directly govern the data itself; instead, it focuses on regulating the behaviour of individuals when working with data.

Policy setting, decision-making, and guidance play crucial roles in data governance, ensuring data security, regulatory compliance, data privacy, data quality, and mitigating data risks. To support the implementation of data governance, organizations may appoint a Chief Data Officer or a similar centralized role, along with certified data governance specialists who collaborate with data stewards across the business.

Certification for Data Governance Specialists

Our Certified Information Management Professional (CIMP) accreditation program in Data Governance caters specifically to dedicated data governance professionals. These specialists are responsible for establishing and maintaining the data governance organization. The CIMP certification provides them with a comprehensive understanding of data governance and related data management disciplines.

Data Stewardship

Definition and Responsibilities

Data stewardship involves the hands-on execution of data governance capabilities.

Data stewards, typically positioned within the business units, are accountable for managing a company’s information management program. They play a vital role in defining data strategy and requirements and ensuring the quality of the data under their purview.

Data stewards make day-to-day decisions regarding data, ensure compliance with standards and policies, and take ownership of data curation to deliver trusted and high-quality data. In most cases, data stewards report to the Chief Data Officer or Data Office through a dotted-line reporting structure.

The Growing Importance of Data Stewards

Data stewards have always held significant roles, but their importance and numbers are steadily increasing. As organizations recognize the value of effective data management, the demand for skilled data stewards is on the rise. Certified data stewards undergo training to acquire a foundational understanding of data management concepts and the responsibilities associated with their role.

Conclusion

To summarize, data governance and data stewardship are interdependent but distinct facets of data management. While data governance establishes the frameworks, structures, and processes, data stewardship focuses on implementing these principles in practical terms. By understanding the difference between these two concepts, organizations can foster a culture of effective data management and maximize the value derived from their data assets.

If you have any further questions or would like to explore data governance and data stewardship in more detail, please feel free to reach out to us.