The first time I was introduced to data governance, someone handed me a thick binder labeled “Data Policies.” It sat on my desk untouched for months. No one referred to it. No one followed it. It was a perfect symbol of what goes wrong when governance is reduced to paperwork without purpose. True data governance […]
A Brief History of Data Stewardship
In the modern digital economy, data is a critical asset that, when properly managed, can drive innovation, insights, and competitive advantage. However, for organizations to leverage data effectively, they must maintain trust in its quality, reliability, and governance/management. Central to this effort is the concept of data stewardship. While it may appear to be a relatively […]
Getting Started with Data Quality
Imagine burning three trillion U.S. dollars. Businesses do this virtually every year because of poor data quality (DQ). In a data-driven age, organizations cannot afford to waste this time and money. Instead, they need to focus on achieving good data quality through a comprehensive program dedicated to business needs. But how does a company implement an effective […]
Mind the Gap: Assessing Data Quality Readiness
This is the second in a two-part series exploring data quality and the ISO 25000 standard. OK. You’re with the program. You recognize that having quality data is important for accurate AI models. You would even concede that it’s important for other stuff too, but whatever, because AI is getting all the attention right now. […]
What Is Data Lineage?
Data lineage tracks and documents how data flows through systems and processes within an organization. Data professionals use automated tools and human oversight to track this movement, creating clear guidance and visualizations that support data quality and compliance. Through this mapping process, organizations trace data flows from source to destination across users and systems. The resulting documentation […]
DGIQ + AIGov Conference: Takeaways and Cross-Cutting Topics
In this series of blog posts, I aim to share some key takeaways from the DGIQ + AIGov Conference 2024 held by DATAVERSITY. These takeaways include my overall professional impressions and a high-level review of the most prominent topics discussed in the conference’s core subject areas: data governance, data quality, and AI governance. In the first three […]
How Dirty, Duplicate Data Prevents Businesses from Being Data-Driven
It’s a data-driven world, yet most businesses are struggling with dirty data; worse, many are still unable to perform basic tasks like deduplication and record linkage efficiently (and affordably). A recent report from my company, “Inside 2024’s Data Quality Challenge: Insights from the Frontlines,” reveals some eye-opening insights drawn from real-world conversations with customers. Companies […]
DGIQ + AIGov Conference: Takeaways and Trending Topics in AI Governance
In this series of blog posts, I aim to share some key takeaways from the DGIQ + AIGov Conference 2024 held by DATAVERSITY. These takeaways include my overall professional impressions and a high-level review of the most prominent topics discussed in the conference’s core subject areas: data governance, data quality, and AI governance. In the first two […]
Mind the Gap: Did You Know About the ISO 25000 Series Data Quality Standards? Me Neither
This is the first in a two-part series exploring Data Quality and the ISO 25000 standard. In the 1964 dark comedy Dr. Strangelove, or How I Stopped Worrying and Learned to Love the Bomb, General Jack D. Ripper orders a nuclear strike on the USSR. Despite efforts to recall the bombers, one plane successfully drops a […]
The Challenge of Data Accuracy
Data has become one of the most valuable assets of modern businesses. The data a company collects, analyzes, and monetizes now serves as a distinct “asset class” rather than merely a byproduct of its IT operations. However, the value of data to an organization diminishes rapidly as the information becomes less accurate. Companies are responding to […]