Data Governance

Assign ownership

Data owners should define business meaning, permitted uses, access needs and quality expectations. Without accountability, the same information may be interpreted inconsistently.

Classify and retain information

Different categories of information require different access and retention controls. Retention decisions should reflect legal duties and operational necessity.

Monitor quality and use

Use clear definitions, validation and change tracking. Governance should support trustworthy decisions rather than create paperwork without operational value.

Practical review checklist

• Define the business objective and the owner accountable for decisions.
• Document the current position and relevant dependencies.
• Assess security, operational and legal implications before making changes.
• Set measurable outcomes and a date to review results.
• Maintain records of approvals, exceptions and lessons learned.

These are general considerations; the appropriate approach depends on the organization, sector and applicable requirements.

Related resources