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Module 1: Introduction to Data Governance

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What is data governance? 

The Data Management Body of Knowledge defines data governance as “the exercise of authority, control and shared decision-making (planning, monitoring and enforcement) over the management of data assets” (DMBOK, 2017) . Put simply, data governance is about implementing a set of policies, processes, structures, roles and responsibilities to ensure that an agency’s data is managed effectively, and that it can meet both its current and future business requirements. 

Source: DAMA Guide to the Data Management Body of Knowledge, Edited by M. Brackett, S. Early and M. Mosley. Bradley Beach, NJ: Technics Publications LLS, 2017 (second edition).

Why is data governance important? 

Data governance is as important to an agency as any other corporate, business or IT governance process. It ensures that data is understood, trusted and appropriately used. It ensures that the people who collect, manage and use data understand their responsibilities and see the value it adds to their work, the objectives of the organisation, as well as broader agency outcomes. Data governance is also an exercise in risk management because it allows agencies to minimise risks around the data it holds, while extracting the maximum value from it.

What are the benefits of good data governance? 

Data governance, like any other program or process, must have a clear purpose for it to be beneficial. Instead of doing data governance for its own sake, it should be established to help an agency achieve its strategic objectives and it should be closely aligned to their business needs.

When data governance is aligned to the organisation’s needs, it can deliver specific benefits across three areas: business value, efficiency and risk mitigation.

Business Value

  • Improved decision-making by ensuring decisions are based on higher quality data
  • Increased competitiveness through improved customer satisfaction
  • Increased public trust through improved data management and transparency

Source: Adapted from Information Governance ANZ

Guiding principles of data governance 

The NSW Information Management Framework principles should guide agencies in governing and managing their data:

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Last updated 14 Mar 2025