7 - Data governance Flashcards
What is the focus of Wave 2: Mature in data transformation?
Creating repeatable processes, understanding data strengths and weaknesses, and addressing organizational blockers.
What does the data team aim to build in Wave 2?
Consistent, high-quality sources of data that create business value.
What are the three activities in the Value, Build, Improve model for Wave 2?
- Value: Create high-quality data for confident business use
- Build: Focus on quality and governance in the data process
- Improve: Inform the business of underlying problems and resolve data conflicts.
What is data governance?
A system of decision rights and accountabilities for information-related processes.
What was a significant statistical anomaly in COVID-19 death counting in England?
Anyone who tested positive and subsequently died was counted as a COVID-19 death.
What was the impact of the counting method on COVID-19 death statistics?
It led to misattribution of deaths, inflating the death toll over time.
What is the definition of data provenance?
Metadata that allows us to attribute an item of data to its source.
What are the three dimensions of data governance illustrated by WorldCom and COVID-19 examples?
- Data has a provenance
- Data should be accurately described
- Data is consistent throughout the business.
True or False: Bad data governance can lead to existential risks for a business.
True.
What was one of the consequences of WorldCom’s bad data governance?
The company collapsed due to misrepresentation of leasing costs as assets.
Fill in the blank: Data governance is crucial for __________.
[good decision-making and risk management].
What is a common issue in decentralized businesses regarding data governance?
Inconsistent methods for creating data, leading to lack of confidence in performance comparisons.
What problem can arise from complex invoices regarding data accuracy?
Inability to apply different depreciation rates, leading to incorrect data entry decisions.
What conflict can arise between departments regarding revenue recognition?
Salespeople and finance teams may record revenue differently due to discounts applied.
What is the importance of accountability in data governance?
Someone must be accountable for data to ensure its quality and governance.
What does rigorous data governance help prevent?
Mistakes in data interpretation and decision-making.
What can high-quality data build within an organization?
Trust in the data transformation process.
What should be included in the description of data to avoid misinterpretation?
Time period, currency unit, and specific qualifiers.
What is a key challenge in achieving effective data governance?
It can create conflict across the business.
True or False: Data governance is merely a box-ticking exercise.
False.
What is the significance of creating a single customer view in data governance?
It provides a common definition and consistent methods for data use.
What is the fourth implication of data governance according to the Data Governance Institute?
Someone must be accountable for data.
What does a lack of accountability in data governance often stem from?
Accidental oversight due to informal processes.
True or False: Accountability for data can be exclusively assigned to the finance department.
False.
Fill in the blank: The principle that the governance of each item of data is someone’s _______.
responsibility.
What role do data stewards play in an organization?
They understand how data is collected and used and act as conduits between the data team and business.
What is the definition of a data steward?
A non-statutory role for someone in a department who understands how it collects and uses data.
Who typically acts as the data owner in an organization?
Someone with decision-making authority for each type of data.
What does the data executive do?
It serves as the decision-making and dispute resolution body for data and analytics strategy.
What is a key characteristic of the data executive’s meetings?
They should meet regularly to update the business on progress and resolve disputes.
What major issue did Tesco face in 2014?
They overstated their first-half profits by £263 million.
What was the consequence of Tesco’s accounting scandal?
A significant drop in share value and multiple lawsuits from investors.
What is the importance of accountability in data governance?
It ensures proper management and compliance with regulations.
Fill in the blank: Lack of accountability can arise from _______ between departments.
conflict.
What does the term ‘shadow data resources’ refer to?
Data that exists outside of formal governance processes.
What was a significant challenge for Tesco regarding their data?
The presence of multiple data silos created by various departments.
What is a common misconception about data governance in organizations?
That accountability is not necessary because IT systems generate the data.
True or False: Data governance can be implemented without a structured accountability system.
False.
What must be demonstrated to comply with the UK GDPR?
The steps taken to ensure data protection.
What is one of the first steps in implementing data governance?
Identifying where the data is located within the organization.
What does the term ‘data quality’ refer to?
The accuracy, consistency, and reliability of data.
What should a data governance project ideally include?
Structured roles for data stewards, data owners, and a data executive.
Fill in the blank: A data owner is responsible for _______ in their area.
decision-making authority.
What does the governance problem often manifest as in meetings?
Arguments or discomfort about data accuracy.
What can be a result of multiple sources of truth in an organization?
Increased costs and inefficiencies.
What is a common issue in data management within large organizations?
Collection of data silos
Departments create and curate their own data without cross-departmental oversight.
What is essential to diagnose data issues effectively?
Thorough, item-by-item audit
Cutting corners is not an option in diagnosing data problems.
How many items of data should be focused on during an investigation?
10 or 15 items
This focused approach can lead to discovering critical problem data.
What must be defined to understand a data’s origination process?
Who can enter the data, how it is checked, and who owns it
Identifying these elements can reveal manual processes needing upgrades.
What is the first step in creating a data governance plan?
Make a clear statement based on transparent, consistent data
This applies to various governance problems, from financial issues to departmental disputes.
What is necessary for governance principles to persist beyond a project?
Incentives to retain governance
Management support is crucial to ensure ongoing adherence to governance practices.
What can lead to conflict when developing data governance?
Resistance from those told to mind their own business
Governance projects can create friction within the organization.
What is a key requirement for a successful data governance project?
Sponsorship from the highest levels of the business
Universal recognition of the need for governance is essential.
What does ‘data excellence’ imply in the context of data governance?
Every business wants excellent data but may resist strict governance
Framing governance as ‘data excellence’ can help gain business buy-in.
What is necessary for data to be considered accurate?
It must present the truth or as near to it as possible
In data management, there can be only one truth.
What does governed data ensure across the business?
Consistency in creation and reporting
This consistency must be maintained over time.
What is vital for ensuring improvements in data governance?
Accountability
Incentives must be in place to ensure governance is maintained.
What role does the data executive play in governance?
Resolves disputes around governance and communicates its importance
This forum is essential for fostering a culture of data governance.
