Data Strategy: Data Governance for better collaboration, transparency in communication and centralized data incident management.

We partnered with a global organization in the mobile gaming industry to design and implement a robust data governance framework, creating a Data Governance Committee and a comprehensive playbook. These initiatives streamlined collaboration, improved decision-making, and established efficient data change and incident management processes, driving transparency and operational excellence.

CATEGORY: Data

September 2021

A global organization with a vision to become a data-driven enterprise, faced challenges with fragmented data practices, reactive decision-making, and limited collaboration across data stakeholders despite its success. With teams across multiple business units relying on siloed data processes, needed a unified framework to govern its data assets and ensure consistency.

Problem and Goals:

They needed a centralized approach to manage its data assets effectively. Key issues included:

• Lack of a single version of truth across teams. Disconnected teams manage data independently, leading to inefficiencies.

• Inefficient collaboration between data producers and consumers.

• High costs associated with reconciling data discrepancies.

• No defined structure for managing data-related incidents or changes.

Goals:

• Establish a cross-functional Data Governance Committee to oversee data practices.

• Develop a centralized Data Governance Playbook with clear policies, a data dictionary, and procedures.

• Introduce streamlined data incident reporting and change management through a centralized workflow.

Solution:

We initiated the project with a structured approach:

1. Stakeholder Engagement: Conducted workshops, surveys and interviews to gather input from business and technical stakeholders. To better understand pain points and requirements from data producers and consumers. 

2. Formation of Governance Structure: Established a cross-functional Data Governance Committee with clear roles and a defined RACI (Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, Informed) framework for decision-making.

3. Playbook Development: Created a comprehensive Data Governance Playbook covering:

   1. Foundational elements like business definitions and roles.

   2. Operational frameworks for managing data quality, incidents, and changes.

4. Centralized Workflows: Implemented a structured incident reporting system with a clear RACI matrix, improving accountability and efficiency.

5. Enhanced Transparency Tools: Delivered a business glossary as an interactive tool for consistent terminology across teams.

Results:

• Enhanced Governance: 

  • Formation of a cross-functional Data Governance Committee empowered to align teams and enforce best practices.

  • Clear ownership and accountability for data practices across teams.

• Operational Efficiency: 

  • Centralized workflows improved incident reporting and change management, reducing time spent on reconciliations.

• Strategic Outcomes:

  • A roadmap for future data strategy projects.

• Improved Transparency: The business glossary provided a unified source of truth, fostering trust and consistency across teams.

Conclusion:

This project laid the foundation to become a data-driven organization. By introducing a robust governance framework and practical tools, teams were enabled to improve decision-making, collaboration, and data transparency. These initiatives empower them to confidently and efficiently tackle future data strategy projects.