Kathy Hunter The Business Relevance of Data Governance Sponsored by the BCS & DAMA UK 21 June 2011 London CONFIDENCE IN DATA

Kathy Hunter The Business Relevance of Data Governance Sponsored by the BCS & DAMA UK 21 June 2011 London CONFIDENCE IN DATA

Topics to be Covered Explaining the Gap between the Business and IT The dangers that the Gap presents A bit about data governance Ways that data governance can resolve the Gap

Mind the Gap! Why do we always ask - Are you with the Business or IT? Why is there this divide in our companies? What can be done to remove this Gap?

What Causes the Split? Communication Issues Business people are from Earth; IT people are from Pluto! When communication breaks down, schisms form Differences over Goals Business goals are mainly commercial, whereas IT goals are internal Lack of Understanding of Roles Perception of each others roles cause issues and confusion The Business don t understand what IT do IT can t understand the information requirements of the Business There is a perception that this is unavoidable and, more importantly, unfixable

Is the Gap Dangerous?

The Overall Effects of the Gap The Gap between IT and the Business causes all manner of trouble It... Breaks the company into two large silos Creates an US vs THEM environment Reduces the company s ability to react Complicates information-related activites Lowers staff morale Costs the company money IT may be thought to be uncooperative The Business finds ways around IT resulting in quality issues CONFIDENCE IN DATA

The Data Suffers! The Business often can t explain their information needs Disappointment occurs when key information is missing Business goals aren t met Subsequent efforts to complete missing data is costly or even impossible Scrap and Re-work Quality issues could undermine confidence in the data Ability to make decisions hampered

IT Projects May Fail Many development projects fail because the business is not ultimately happy with the results Could be due to a lack of understanding between the business and IT Business needs software tools to do their jobs IT are working to a specification that may be flawed Organisations lose money invested into the development as many projects will need to be started again IT departments are frustrated because they felt they were building something of real value to the business

Impacts to Departmental Budgets Business areas are increasingly demanding more money in their budgets to pay for Shadow IT IT budgets are reduced to compensate for business area budget increases This could lead to a loss of individuals with key IT skills Information quality costs increase as central controls over data are lost

Closing the Gap

In Reality, the Crossovers are Increasing Customer, financial and marketing data being used across the enterprise Professionals in many functions increasingly need data knowledge & skills But yet, the Gap remains

What Can Be Done to Close the Gap? The trick is to get IT & the Business really talking! But how? Data Governance can be the key!

The Power of Data Governance

What is Data Governance? Data governance provides principles, processes and measures that control the creation, storage, usage, security and disposition of data and ensure the quality of key information within an organisation Data governance should reside within the business areas of an organisation, not IT, but should include IT in its operation Data governance activities can go a long way in breaking down the barriers between the Business and IT and closing that GAP!

Engaging Business & IT Stakeholders Data governance is not down to IT to manage, it s a business function, driven by business goals Instituting a data governance programme involves all the major information stakeholders Bring stakeholders together to discuss the principles and procedures that will be involved Include members of the IT department as they share in the responsibilities and accountabilities

Plotting the Information Flows Key information flows from data creation and/or capture through to usage, reporting and removal need to be mapped and understood These run through the whole of the business and will clarify information needs, enhancing IT project success Bringing IT into this process will give them an understanding of customer/supplier relationships within the company Providing clear guidance for new developments Defining parameters for the change controls that are central to data governance

Improving Information Quality Information quality programmes should involve all areas of the Business and IT Data quality problems are often a result of broken or poorly implemented business processes Solving information quality problems within a joint operation between the IT and Business will provide better, longer lasting results This will also aid communication between different areas of the organisation regarding information

Instituting Stewardship Assigning Information Stewards from the Business for key master data will naturally align these individuals with members of IT related to this data Communication will improve as the data definitions, controls and procedures evolve Working together to ensure the integrity and security of these data elements will enhance understanding of respective roles in the company Everybody Wins!

In Summary A Gap really does exist between the Business and IT This Gap causes problems within an organisation The Gap can be closed, or at least minimised Many aspects of a data governance programme can help to resolve the Gap. These include Engaging Business & IT Stakeholders Plotting the Information Flows Improving Information Quality Instituting Stewardship

Any Questions?

Kathy Hunter Data Governance Manager DQM Group Kathy.Hunter@dqmgroup.com 01494 435437 CONFIDENCE IN DATA