Why Does Every Organization Need Data Governance?

In the absence of quality data governance, an organization will never fully realize the potential of data, and in fact, may subject itself to increasing levels of risk over time.

Look, let me get right to the point. Why do we even need data governance? We’ve been managing data on computer systems since way back in the 20th century and we’ve done okay with it, right?

Whether we call it data governance or not, every organization has some form of oversight for the data it handles. It could be as simple as knowing that someone backs up the data or where the data is and who has access to it. More sophisticated organizations might prioritize the use and management of data and have entire teams, suites of tools, and codified processes assigned to it.

Data governance, informal and formal, spans a wide continuum of adoption techniques. It all comes down to this: Is data being fully managed in the organization and is the value of data being realized?

A lot has changed in recent years that makes these questions much more relevant today.

First, every organization now uses digital technology. Where there’s digital tech, there’s data.