Data Governance Matters

Linear Thinking and Data Governance

Talk to someone who is implementing a Data Governance program, and chances are you’ll quickly be immersed in systems talk. They’ll describe frameworks, components, and feedback loops.

But talk to a seasoned Project Manager about such things, and chances are, they’ll cut you off. “What do we need to do?” they’ll ask. “And when? What steps do I need to insert into my project plan, and how will I know when they’re completed successfully?”

What they’re looking for is a linear process. And their perspective is right – just like a systems thinker’s perspective is right. To be successful, you need both.

So which are you? If your default mode is to think in terms of systems, you’d better get ready to jump into another mode. Be prepared to discuss embedding Data Governance steps into your Project Management Life Cycle (PMLC) and your Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC). Be ready to identify how these efforts can “loop out” to take advantage of what your program has to offer.

And you might try practicing delivering this information with just the barest essential background information and contextual complexities. For many linear thinkers, a little bit of this goes a long way.