This post presents a maturity model for assessing the Governance Structure within an organization, focusing on the Responsibility Assignment dimension. It evaluates the clarity of data ownership and management responsibilities through five key questions.
Assessment Overview
The following sections assess the designation, accountability, processes, management, and training related to data ownership and responsibilities. Each question includes maturity levels (1 to 5) with evaluation guidelines to help determine your organization’s current state.
1. Are data owners clearly designated?
Level
Description
Evaluation Guideline
Level 1
No owners.
No owners exist.
Level 2
Some owners; informal.
Informal ownership exists.
Level 3
Owners for key data.
Key data has owners.
Level 4
Owners for most data.
Most data has owners.
Level 5
Owners designated for all data.
All data has owners.
2. Is there a responsible person for each dataset?
Level
Description
Evaluation Guideline
Level 1
No responsible person.
No responsible person exists.
Level 2
Responsible person for some datasets.
Some datasets have a responsible person.
Level 3
Responsible person for key datasets.
Key datasets have a responsible person.
Level 4
Responsible person for most datasets.
Most datasets have a responsible person.
Level 5
Responsible person for all datasets.
All datasets have a responsible person.
3. Is there a process for ownership changes?
Level
Description
Evaluation Guideline
Level 1
No process.
No process exists.
Level 2
Informal changes.
Informal changes occur.
Level 3
Basic process exists.
A basic process is defined.
Level 4
Documented process.
Process is documented.
Level 5
Automated change management.
Automation is proven.
4. Do responsible persons manage data quality?
Level
Description
Evaluation Guideline
Level 1
No quality management.
No management exists.
Level 2
Some management; irregular.
Irregular management occurs.
Level 3
Basic quality management.
Basic management exists.
Level 4
Regular quality management.
Regular management occurs.
Level 5
Systematic quality management.
Systematic management is proven.
5. Are responsible persons trained?
Level
Description
Evaluation Guideline
Level 1
No training.
No training exists.
Level 2
Informal training.
Informal training occurs.
Level 3
Basic training provided.
Basic training exists.
Level 4
Regular training.
Regular training occurs.
Level 5
Comprehensive training and evaluation.
Evaluation is included.
How to Use This Model
Use the evaluation guidelines for each question to assess your organization’s maturity in responsibility assignment for data governance. Identify gaps in ownership designation, accountability, change processes, quality management, and training, then take steps to progress toward higher maturity levels.
The author has lived and breathed the life of a data steward for years, wrestling with data to keep organizations on track. Through countless hours of consulting—both giving and receiving advice—learned one thing: explaining and leading data governance is no easy feat.
