Data Governance: How to Prepare for the Future

The pace of data growth is increasing dramatically. As new data sources are being created and connected daily, organizations are struggling to capture, rationalize and secure them. Couple that with the promise of intelligent insight from technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI), and it becomes even more difficult to get a handle on your data if you want to use it to drive business outcomes.

Thus, insights-driven enterprises are leaning in on data governance, and the need for a data management program that is built on a governance strategy and designed to work in a sustainable way. Most companies aren’t sure how to get there, but they know it’s critical that they do: you can’t use data to drive business outcomes if there’s doubt as to the data’s validity, and confusion about where it lives, how to get to it, and how to use it.

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To make that happen, you need to understand how to build a strong cloud governance program. It’s about ensuring your company’s data strategy and business strategy are aligned, and that you have the right mix of tools and culture to leverage data effectively at scale.

At Hitachi Solutions’ we recently completed a new eBook on all things data governance. It’s a great tool for understanding the nuts and bolts of building an effective data governance program that your business can use now, and scale into the future.

Check out our new eBook:

Data Governance: Creating a Foundation for a Data-driven Future

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In the simplest terms, data governance is about managing data as a strategic asset. At Hitachi Solutions, we focus on the key foundational components that define and support the processes, tools, and resources required to make a governance program successful. This is where our eBook is particularly helpful. We explain how to create a data governance framework— a well-defined structure that determines how and who handles data. It addresses people, policies, processes, and technology components, all driven by a clear strategy.

Once the framework is established, the policies and processes need to be applied to data as it moves from initial generation or capture to eventual archival or deletion. Different policies and processes can be applied to distinct types of data at various stages, so you’ll always understand how data is captured, used, saved, and shared at each stage.

A good data governance program is not a one-time investment. Data can change and decay over time (like phone numbers and addresses) if it’s not updated. And as data changes, so do business needs. Regulations change, technology evolves, and business initiatives can shift. A data governance program needs to reflect these changes and evolve to continue delivering value.

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Chances are you’ll need the assistance of a third party to help you assess your current data landscape, evaluate your existing infrastructure, and define the policies and processes you’ll use. Most companies don’t have the technical and personnel resources to manage such a shift alone.

Hitachi Solutions is a proud member of the EDM Council, the global association created to elevate the practice of data management and analytics as a business and operational priority. As the cloud increasingly becomes a foundational component for business models, the Council’s CDMC framework is a valuable resource for comprehensive and up-to-date best practices across all industries.

At Hitachi Solutions, we have a multitude of specialists who work with the largest enterprise customers to assess and advance their data management capabilities. Peruse the eBook and then contact us to see how Hitachi Solutions can put you on the right path, starting with a cross-industry assessment to evaluate your data management maturity and needs.