Consumers also expect companies to operate in an ethical manner with a high degree of transparency and visibility. Data management of consumer data goes far beyond annual privacy statements and disclosures. It must become part of the corporate culture and thus has become a prominent element in corporate social responsibility. Data governance programs should take an active role in ensuring that this happens.
Redefined Data Architecture
Less than a decade ago, data architecture referred to the systems and infrastructure of the data environment. Decisions were made based on integration, access, transformation, and general data movement. With the introduction of modern data architectures, including open source and cloud, the approach to data architecture is rapidly shifting. Considerations for a modern data architecture now include data sharing, data stewardship, common data definitions, and infrastructure based on consumption. Rather than building a multi-purpose infrastructure, the modern data architecture looks to design based on fit-for-purpose. The modern data architecture needs data governance now more than ever. Depending on organizational culture, it may mean that data governance has representation in the modernization of the data architecture, or it could mean that data architects have an ongoing, active role in data governance. Either way, they need to be tightly linked to move the business forward.
The ancient mariner left his listener sadder and wiser. Let’s tell our story leaving those we tell only wiser. Look to the horizon of the growing data seas, transforming data governance to enable, support, and serve the business. Data, data, everywhere, May success be on the brink!