Data governance is a term that makes mid-market companies reach for the exit. It sounds like something large enterprises do when they have a dedicated data team, a budget for governance software, and time to spend in policy meetings.
In reality, the governance problems at a 200-person company are the same problems at a 20,000-person company - just smaller. And the solutions are proportionally simpler.
What governance actually means at your size
At its core, data governance is three things: knowing what data you have, knowing who is responsible for it, and having a process for changing it.
That is it. The enterprise versions of governance add layers of tooling, process, and policy on top of these basics. But the basics are what produce the outcomes: reliable data, clear accountability, and controlled change.
The five decisions that matter
Who owns each data domain? Customers, suppliers, products, employees, financial accounts. One person per domain. Not a committee. One person who is ultimately responsible for the accuracy of that data.
What is the authoritative source for each data type? When finance and sales show different revenue numbers, which system is right? This needs to be documented and agreed.
How are changes controlled? Who can add a new customer category? Who can modify a product's cost? Changes to master data need a lightweight approval process.
How is data quality measured? What does "good" look like for your customer master? Define it, measure it on a schedule, and assign someone to fix it when it degrades.
How long is data retained? Compliance requirements vary by industry and location. Know what applies to you and implement it before you need it.
If you want to put basic data governance in place without building a bureaucracy, reach out. We set this up for mid-market businesses regularly.
Have a question about this topic? We work with businesses worldwide.
Get in Touch