Mastering Data Governance: A Step-by-Step Guide for Government Agencies
By John Guedel , Vice President - Public Sector at Precisely
T he government sector is increasingly undergoing a data-driven transformation, with access to trustworthy data critical for modernizing day-to-day operations and improving citizen services across the full range of government activities. As a result, many are turning to data governance programs, as part of a robust data integrity strategy, to help make sure they can easily find, understand, trust, and leverage critical data which leads to more accurate and informed decisions and reporting. With a well- planned data governance approach, government agencies can maximize their data to its fullest potential and accelerate important modernization and mission critical data initiatives. Despite this, traditional data governance methods often fall short, leading to complexities and disengagement. In fact, research shows that 69% of state government CIOs report that their data governance strategies are still in the beginning stages. The good news is that a methodical, results-driven approach to data governance can help to deliver greater returns and faster outcomes. Below are the four
comprehensive 360 degree understanding of their constituents. • Improving Operational Processes: Enhancing performance, reducing costs, and improving data quality are crucial. This includes better program administration, higher citizen satisfaction, and efficient budget management. Agencies often discover that different goals ultimately rely on access to the same datasets. For example, managing the privacy of program participant data is most likely the same data that helps strategic decision makers gain a 360° view of constituents. In turn, those same datasets are also likely to impact operational improvements around citizen satisfaction or workforce management. A critical part of the governance process consists of linking those data assets to the agency’s key goals and understanding those relationships to maximize value. An overarching objective will therefore be establishing a common view of trusted data assets. Specific data governance capabilities such as a data catalog, data lineage, and approval workflows can then be identified as components that contribute to achieving that objective.
1. Link Data Governance to Agency Goals The foundation of effective data governance lies in aligning governance assets with specific agency goals. Government agencies should begin by clearly defining their objectives, which generally fall into three categories: • Minimizing Data-Related Risk: This involves understanding and managing potential gaps in privacy, security, and compliance. Agencies need to profile risk exposure and ensure the protection of constituent and workforce data. • Delivering Better Analytical Insights: By improving the accuracy of analytical insights agencies can drive targeted outreach, enhance program effectiveness, and inform
key steps to successful data governance for government agencies.
budget decisions. By leveraging analytics, agencies can gain a
42 – Florida Technology Magazine – 2024 Fall Edition
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