Understanding the Role of Data Stewards in Data Governance

Data governance is vital for businesses in this digital age, where data is considered valuable. Data governance ensures data is used appropriately, accurately, and securely across an organization.

The key to successful data governance is data stewards. Data stewards ensure that data is used effectively, securely, and ethically throughout the business. In this article, we will discuss the role of data stewards and how to improve business performance with data governance.

Defining The Role Of Data Stewards

When it comes to data governance, the role of a data steward is critical to ensuring that data is managed effectively and by established policies and procedures. A data steward is responsible for the quality, accuracy, and security of data within an organization and for ensuring that data is used appropriately and in the most productive ways possible.

To define the role of a data steward, it is important to understand their responsibilities and the impact they can have on data governance. This includes everything from identifying areas of risk and opportunities for improvement to establishing and enforcing data standards to collaborating with other stakeholders throughout the organization to achieve shared goals.

Ultimately, data governance can be strengthened by defining the role of data stewards within an organization, leading to better decision-making, improved security, and greater overall efficiency.

Collaborates With The Business Units

Data stewards collaborate with various business units within the organization to understand their data needs. They work with business leaders to develop and implement data policies that align with the organization’s strategic objectives.

Data stewards ensure that all data is accurate, complete, relevant, and timely for the business units. They also work with different departments to resolve any data-related issues or conflicts.

They work closely with stakeholders to identify data sources, needs, and usage to ensure that data is collected and managed efficiently. By collaborating with other departments, data stewards can identify areas where data governance can be improved and set guidelines and standards to ensure that data is consistent and reliable.

Establishes Policies And Standards

Data stewards establish data policies and standards that support the business goals. They ensure that policies and standards are adhered to by the different teams within the organization.

Data stewards also ensure data-related policies align with regulatory compliance requirements. They work with external auditors to ensure that all data policies and standards comply with regulations and laws.

Identifies Data Quality Issues

One of the primary responsibilities of data stewards is identifying potential data quality issues. Whether it needs to be completed, corrected, or updated data, these issues can cause major problems and impact business decisions.

Data stewards are equipped with the knowledge and tools to identify these issues and develop strategies to address and prevent them in the future. They analyze data to identify quality issues and provide recommendations to improve data quality.

They track data quality metrics like completeness, accuracy, and consistency to ensure data meets the required standards. Data stewards also create data quality rules and perform data profiling to identify and report anomalies.

Provides Data Training And Support

Data stewards provide data training and support to different business units within the organization. They educate users on data policies and standards, data governance tools, and best practices for using data.

They also provide support to users who need help with data-related issues. Data stewards work with different teams within the organization to ensure everyone knows the importance of data governance.

Final Thoughts on Data Stewards in Data Governance

Effective data governance is the backbone of successful organizations in the digital age. The role of data stewards is crucial in ensuring that data is managed effectively, securely, and ethically.

Data stewards help organizations establish and implement data policies, standards, and guidelines. They also collaborate with different business units to understand their needs and provide data support and training. Thus, companies need skilled data stewards to manage their assets effectively and ensure data governance.