7 - Data governance

Question 1

What is the focus of Wave 2: Mature in data transformation?

Answer 1

Creating repeatable processes, understanding data strengths and weaknesses, and addressing organizational blockers.

Question 2

What does the data team aim to build in Wave 2?

Answer 2

Consistent, high-quality sources of data that create business value.

Question 3

What are the three activities in the Value, Build, Improve model for Wave 2?

Answer 3

• Value: Create high-quality data for confident business use
• Build: Focus on quality and governance in the data process
• Improve: Inform the business of underlying problems and resolve data conflicts.

Question 4

What is data governance?

Answer 4

A system of decision rights and accountabilities for information-related processes.

Question 5

What was a significant statistical anomaly in COVID-19 death counting in England?

Answer 5

Anyone who tested positive and subsequently died was counted as a COVID-19 death.

Question 6

What was the impact of the counting method on COVID-19 death statistics?

Answer 6

It led to misattribution of deaths, inflating the death toll over time.

Question 7

What is the definition of data provenance?

Answer 7

Metadata that allows us to attribute an item of data to its source.

Question 8

What are the three dimensions of data governance illustrated by WorldCom and COVID-19 examples?

Answer 8

• Data has a provenance
• Data should be accurately described
• Data is consistent throughout the business.

Question 9

True or False: Bad data governance can lead to existential risks for a business.

Answer 9

True.

Question 10

What was one of the consequences of WorldCom’s bad data governance?

Answer 10

The company collapsed due to misrepresentation of leasing costs as assets.

Question 11

Fill in the blank: Data governance is crucial for __________.

Answer 11

[good decision-making and risk management].

Question 12

What is a common issue in decentralized businesses regarding data governance?

Answer 12

Inconsistent methods for creating data, leading to lack of confidence in performance comparisons.

Question 13

What problem can arise from complex invoices regarding data accuracy?

Answer 13

Inability to apply different depreciation rates, leading to incorrect data entry decisions.

Question 14

What conflict can arise between departments regarding revenue recognition?

Answer 14

Salespeople and finance teams may record revenue differently due to discounts applied.

Question 15

What is the importance of accountability in data governance?

Answer 15

Someone must be accountable for data to ensure its quality and governance.

Question 16

What does rigorous data governance help prevent?

Answer 16

Mistakes in data interpretation and decision-making.

Question 17

What can high-quality data build within an organization?

Answer 17

Trust in the data transformation process.

Question 18

What should be included in the description of data to avoid misinterpretation?

Answer 18

Time period, currency unit, and specific qualifiers.

Question 19

What is a key challenge in achieving effective data governance?

Answer 19

It can create conflict across the business.

Question 20

True or False: Data governance is merely a box-ticking exercise.

Answer 20

False.

Question 21

What is the significance of creating a single customer view in data governance?

Answer 21

It provides a common definition and consistent methods for data use.

Question 22

What is the fourth implication of data governance according to the Data Governance Institute?

Answer 22

Someone must be accountable for data.

Question 23

What does a lack of accountability in data governance often stem from?

Answer 23

Accidental oversight due to informal processes.

Question 24

True or False: Accountability for data can be exclusively assigned to the finance department.

Answer 24

False.

Question 25

Fill in the blank: The principle that the governance of each item of data is someone's _______.

Answer 25

responsibility.

Question 26

What role do data stewards play in an organization?

Answer 26

They understand how data is collected and used and act as conduits between the data team and business.

Question 27

What is the definition of a data steward?

Answer 27

A non-statutory role for someone in a department who understands how it collects and uses data.

Question 28

Who typically acts as the data owner in an organization?

Answer 28

Someone with decision-making authority for each type of data.

Question 29

What does the data executive do?

Answer 29

It serves as the decision-making and dispute resolution body for data and analytics strategy.

Question 30

What is a key characteristic of the data executive's meetings?

Answer 30

They should meet regularly to update the business on progress and resolve disputes.

Question 31

What major issue did Tesco face in 2014?

Answer 31

They overstated their first-half profits by £263 million.

Question 32

What was the consequence of Tesco's accounting scandal?

Answer 32

A significant drop in share value and multiple lawsuits from investors.

Question 33

What is the importance of accountability in data governance?

Answer 33

It ensures proper management and compliance with regulations.

Question 34

Fill in the blank: Lack of accountability can arise from _______ between departments.

Answer 34

conflict.

Question 35

What does the term 'shadow data resources' refer to?

Answer 35

Data that exists outside of formal governance processes.

Question 36

What was a significant challenge for Tesco regarding their data?

Answer 36

The presence of multiple data silos created by various departments.

Question 37

What is a common misconception about data governance in organizations?

Answer 37

That accountability is not necessary because IT systems generate the data.

Question 38

True or False: Data governance can be implemented without a structured accountability system.

Answer 38

False.

Question 39

What must be demonstrated to comply with the UK GDPR?

Answer 39

The steps taken to ensure data protection.

Question 40

What is one of the first steps in implementing data governance?

Answer 40

Identifying where the data is located within the organization.

Question 41

What does the term 'data quality' refer to?

Answer 41

The accuracy, consistency, and reliability of data.

Question 42

What should a data governance project ideally include?

Answer 42

Structured roles for data stewards, data owners, and a data executive.

Question 43

Fill in the blank: A data owner is responsible for _______ in their area.

Answer 43

decision-making authority.

Question 44

What does the governance problem often manifest as in meetings?

Answer 44

Arguments or discomfort about data accuracy.

Question 45

What can be a result of multiple sources of truth in an organization?

Answer 45

Increased costs and inefficiencies.

Question 46

What is a common issue in data management within large organizations?

Answer 46

Collection of data silos ## Footnote Departments create and curate their own data without cross-departmental oversight.

Question 47

What is essential to diagnose data issues effectively?

Answer 47

Thorough, item-by-item audit ## Footnote Cutting corners is not an option in diagnosing data problems.

Question 48

How many items of data should be focused on during an investigation?

Answer 48

10 or 15 items ## Footnote This focused approach can lead to discovering critical problem data.

Question 49

What must be defined to understand a data's origination process?

Answer 49

Who can enter the data, how it is checked, and who owns it ## Footnote Identifying these elements can reveal manual processes needing upgrades.

Question 50

What is the first step in creating a data governance plan?

Answer 50

Make a clear statement based on transparent, consistent data ## Footnote This applies to various governance problems, from financial issues to departmental disputes.

Question 51

What is necessary for governance principles to persist beyond a project?

Answer 51

Incentives to retain governance ## Footnote Management support is crucial to ensure ongoing adherence to governance practices.

Question 52

What can lead to conflict when developing data governance?

Answer 52

Resistance from those told to mind their own business ## Footnote Governance projects can create friction within the organization.

Question 53

What is a key requirement for a successful data governance project?

Answer 53

Sponsorship from the highest levels of the business ## Footnote Universal recognition of the need for governance is essential.

Question 54

What does 'data excellence' imply in the context of data governance?

Answer 54

Every business wants excellent data but may resist strict governance ## Footnote Framing governance as 'data excellence' can help gain business buy-in.

Question 55

What is necessary for data to be considered accurate?

Answer 55

It must present the truth or as near to it as possible ## Footnote In data management, there can be only one truth.

Question 56

What does governed data ensure across the business?

Answer 56

Consistency in creation and reporting ## Footnote This consistency must be maintained over time.

Question 57

What is vital for ensuring improvements in data governance?

Answer 57

Accountability ## Footnote Incentives must be in place to ensure governance is maintained.

Question 58

What role does the data executive play in governance?

Answer 58

Resolves disputes around governance and communicates its importance ## Footnote This forum is essential for fostering a culture of data governance.