Data Governance councils and domain forums are often seen as just ‘talking shops’; all discussion, no action. But when done right, they can be much more. I asked data professionals from my network what problems these groups actually solve, and their answers offered lots of food for thought! Here’s what I learned from the discussions.

What Do Data Governance Councils Solve?

Think of a Data Governance council as the command centre for an organisation’s data strategy. Their job is to set the rules, define roles and make sure everyone understands how to manage and use data properly. When I asked my network of data professionals, 'What problems do Data Governance Councils solve?' here's what they had to say:

Councils can create a clear framework - councils establish processes, assign responsibilities, and even decide how data projects get funded. This makes sure there’s no confusion about who owns what.

Councils can solve data disagreements - when different teams have conflicting views on how data should be defined or used, the council acts as a referee. They can resolve disputes and provide clarity on tricky issues.

Councils can spotlight hidden problems - councils bring important data issues to senior leaders’ attention. Problems that might be ignored in day-to-day work can be raised and discussed.

Councils can provide executive backing - they help secure leadership support for new ways of working, ensuring changes are properly approved and supported.

Councils can manage risk and compliance - councils reduce business risk by making sure data policies comply with legal and regulatory requirements. They also set protocols for handling data breaches or other serious issues.

And What About Domain Forums?

While councils focus on the big picture, domain forums dive into the details. They take the council's decisions and make them work within specific business areas. Here's the problems they solve, as found by my network:

Putting plans into action - forums turn high-level strategies into everyday practices. They adapt enterprise-wide policies to fit the specific needs of different teams or departments.

Fixing data problems locally - if a team notices data quality issues, they can raise them in their domain forum. This helps catch and fix problems early before they become company-wide headaches!

Promoting collaboration - forums encourage teams to work together; sharing insights and learning from each other’s experiences. This can be invaluable for improving data processes across the business.

Clarifying accountability - forums make sure everyone understands their role in managing data. This helps prevent tasks from falling through the cracks.

Making It Work

So it’s not just me believing that they add value. There is a lot of value to be gained Data Governance councils and domain forums. These are answers by real people who find value in these groups. But remember, for councils and forums to be effective, they need clear goals and active participation. If they become one-sided updates or just another meeting on the calendar, they lose their impact. However, when run properly, they create space for collaboration and highly effective problem-solving.

As always, if you’d like any support with your Data Governance initiative, book a call with me below and we can discuss your needs further.

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