At its core, Data Governance (DG) is managing data with guidance. This immediately provokes the question: Would you tolerate any of your assets to be managed without guidance? (In all likelihood, your organization has been managing data without adequate guidance, and this accounts for its current, less-than-optimal state.) This program provides a practical guide to implementing DG or recharging your existing program. It provides an understanding of what Data Governance functions are required and how they fit with other Data Management disciplines. Understanding these aspects is a necessary prerequisite to eliminate the ambiguity that often surrounds initial discussions and implement effective Data Governance/stewardship programs that manage data in support of the organizational strategy. Program learning objectives include:

• Understanding why Data Governance can be tricky for organizations due to data’s confounding characteristics
• Strategy #1: Keeping DG practically focused
• Strategy #2: DG must exist at the same level as HR
• Strategy #3: Gradually add ingredients
• Data Governance in action: storytelling