For data professionals tasked with starting data governance in a state agency or nonprofit, the challenge is building an infrastructure robust enough to protect sensitive data but flexible enough to remain usable. Implementation speed is rarely about a lack of resources. It is a choice of scale and initial trajectory defined by the anticipated infrastructure. While this work may on the surface seem overwhelming, it can easily be implemented with intentional decision-making.
Experience shows that three key decisions determine whether the implementation of the new data governance program is a sprint, a multi-month build, or a multi-year marathon. To avoid defaulting into a slow-motion marathon timeline, agencies must front-load their framework with three high-stakes implementation choices in the first two weeks. With the right scope, dedicated personnel representing different levels of the agency, and a practical consensus model, nonprofits and government agencies could launch a robust data governance program in only a matter of time.
1. Scope: Narrowing the Boundaries
When starting data governance programs, the implementation timeline is a direct reflection of the initial boundaries set in the Scope and Management Policy. Choosing what stays out of the framework is the most effective way to accelerate what goes into it. Some examples of data governance scope include:
- Single Project/Dataset: This allows for a quick win with minimal change management, though it may be perceived as a pet project.
- Entire Organization: This aligns processes for all colleagues and improves credibility, but requires significant change management.
- Multi-Agency Effort: While highly credible and resource-rich, this path often leads to multi-year implementations and unclear authority.
2. Participation: Defining the Players
Determining who gets a say, and to what extent, is vital for long-term sustainability. The data governance program should represent different levels and needs of the agency, balancing both the strategic vision of leadership with the practical needs of employees’ daily work.
- The Governing Board: These are the leaders who ultimately approve and enforce policies. High-level leaders may assume seats on the governing board, but their lack of technical involvement or availability can create bottlenecks. On the other hand, it may be good to have additional insights, such as those who are less technically-savvy, to represent different needs of the organization.
- The Steering Committee: This group provides the subject matter expertise required to draft and review specific data policies. They acknowledge the day-to-day needs of the nonprofit or government agency in designing the processes involved in collecting, storing, and analyzing data.
- The Coordinator: Agencies typically choose a dedicated coordinator. The coordinator will ensure the efficiency of the data governance infrastructure, presenting policy drafts from the steering committee to the governing board and communicating feedback between the groups. However, the perceived authority of the coordinator, especially in relation to the consensus model, will help or hurt the overall build of the program.
3. Consensus: Balancing Input with Efficiency
The consensus model is perhaps the most critical decision for implementation velocity.
- The Bottleneck: A requirement for total input and total agreement (unanimous approval) can lead to dozens of drafts per policy and atrocious scheduling logistics, but the agency may feel more secure in the policies that are produced when starting data governance programs.
- The Accelerator: Establishing a majority-rule or non-objection framework in the early weeks can reduce a policy’s ratification time from months to weeks, but there may ultimately be less buy-in if stakeholders do not view the ratification requirements as sufficient.
Build Your Trajectory with TACB Strategies
Starting data governance isn’t a one-size-fits-all endeavor. TACB Strategies specializes in bridging the gap between an agency’s current state and its future goals by designing sustainable data strategy programs. If you are interested in discussing your needs and how we can support this endeavor, connect with us to set up a consultation.