The topic of data governance should be high on the agenda for all organizations. For (aspiring) data specialists, it is a very interesting topic to learn more about and to build a solid foundation in. The reference work 'DMBOK' from DAMA International is an excellent starting point for this.
It is beneficial for organizations to adopt a proactive attitude towards their own data quality. Merely complying with the legal minimum requirements for data management is no longer sufficient. The amount of data we work with and store continues to grow rapidly and is constantly changing. In this context, the topic of data governance is extremely important.
data governance provides a structure through which an organization can effectively manage its data, ensuring it meets the organization’s needs
What is Data Governance?
Literally translated, governance means administration or management. Data governance therefore includes the policies that determine how an organization manages its data and which roles and responsibilities are defined regarding data management. It provides a structure through which an organization can effectively manage its data, ensuring it meets the organization’s needs. It forms the foundation of data management and encompasses all agreements and rules that outline how you want to use the data, what your goals are, how you ensure quality, and how data security is organized. Data Governance is not purely about data. Success requires a combination of people, rules, procedures, and supporting technologies.
Data Governance Job Vacancies
A quick search for the term 'data governance' on job boards confirms that it is indeed a popular term. However, there are relatively few job titles that include 'data governance' explicitly. Some examples include: data governance advisor, data governance analyst, and data governance specialist.
Generally, data governance appears more often as a component of roles such as data manager or data architect. We also frequently see combinations with roles in: risk & compliance and quality.
What are common requirements for data governance roles?
- Completed bachelor’s or master’s degree (for example in Information Management, or at least a program with a clear STEM component);
- Solid knowledge of and experience with data management / data quality;
- Strong communication skills (oral and written);
- Experience working in projects;
- Skilled in influencing people;
- Analytical, structured, well-organized;
- In-depth technical (data) knowledge is usually not required (but knowledge of SQL and data visualization tools is helpful);
- Good domain knowledge of the field in which the organization operates (if possible).
DAMA-DMBOK
For (aspiring) data specialists, having solid knowledge of data management and data governance is essential. It is the foundation upon which everything you work on is built (or at least should be...).
Want to learn more about data management and/or data governance? Or are you aiming for a career step in that direction? Then the reference work from DAMA International, 'DMBOK' (Data Management Body of Knowledge), is a good starting point. It is a comprehensive guide to international data management standards and practices for data management professionals.
For data governance job vacancies on DataJobs, click here.
Raymond te Veldhuis