What is Data Governance

Dartmouth's institutional data are strategic assets.  Data governance provides a framework for strong stewardship of our expansive and rich set of institutional data.  Data governance provides for consistent data across business units and for how these data are used in reporting.  Consistency in our data leads to data integrity which drives confident decision making.  Data governance also increases efficiencies therein increasing return on investments in both human capital and physical capital.  Furthermore, data governance increases regulatory compliance and reduces risk.  Dartmouth is implementing an inclusive data governance framework that incorporates requirements from multiple constituencies including students, staff, faculty, and alumni.

Data governance impacts everyone at Dartmouth.  The process of governing data involves people across the institution including executives, data management professionals, and data users who are familiar with relevant data domains in Dartmouth's systems.  For more information on the Data Governance roles at Dartmouth, please visit our Roles section of the website.

Dartmouth's implementation strategy is modeled after the strategy articulated by COBIT (Control Objectives for Information and Related Technologies).  We are in Step 5, executing the plan in iterations. 

1. What are the drivers?
   • Initiate program
   • Establish desire to change
   • Recognize need to act
2. Where are we now?
   • Define problems and opportunities
   • Form implementation team
   • Assess current state 
3. Where do we want to be?
   • Define road map
   • Communicate outcome
   • Define target state
4. What needs to be done?
   • Plan program
   • Identify role players
   • Build improvements
5. How do we get there?
   • Execute plan in iterations
   • Operate and use
   • Implement improvements