How do you become an ERP data steward or owner?

1 What is an ERP data steward?

An ERP data steward is someone who oversees the data lifecycle in an ERP system, from creation to deletion. They define and enforce data standards, policies, and procedures, and monitor data quality and integrity. They also coordinate with data owners, users, and other stakeholders to resolve data issues and support data-driven decision making. An ERP data steward may have a technical, functional, or business background, depending on the scope and complexity of the ERP system.

2 What is an ERP data owner?

An ERP data owner is someone who has the authority and accountability for a specific set of data in an ERP system. They determine the business rules, requirements, and objectives for their data, and grant or revoke access rights to data users. They also collaborate with data stewards and other data owners to align data strategies and ensure data consistency across the ERP system. An ERP data owner typically has a senior or managerial role in the business domain that their data belongs to.

3 How do they work together?

ERP data stewards and owners work together to ensure data quality and governance in an ERP system. They communicate regularly and share information, feedback, and best practices. They also participate in data governance committees or councils that oversee the data strategy, policies, and issues for the entire ERP system. They act as advocates and educators for data quality and governance within their respective areas and across the organization.

4 What skills do you need?

To become an ERP data steward or owner, you need a combination of technical, functional, and business skills, such as data analysis, data quality, data governance, data communication, and data collaboration. Data analysis involves understanding, interpreting, and manipulating data using tools like SQL, Excel, or BI software. Data quality requires assessing, measuring, and improving the quality of data through methods like data profiling, cleansing, validation, or auditing. Data governance means defining, implementing, and monitoring data standards and policies to ensure compliance with internal and external regulations. Data communication entails effectively communicating with stakeholders to explain data concepts or solutions in a clear way. Lastly, data collaboration involves working with others to foster a culture of data quality and governance.

5 How do you get started?

If you want to become an ERP data steward or owner, you can start by taking some steps to develop your skills and demonstrate your interest. Firstly, it is important to become familiar with the structure, functionality, and data sources of the ERP system that you work with or want to work with. This can be done through online courses, books, or blogs, or by asking for guidance from experienced colleagues or mentors. Additionally, you should look for opportunities to participate in data-related projects and show your initiative and contribution. This could include data migration, integration, reporting, data cleansing, validation, or documentation. Finally, networking with data professionals is important in order to gain advice, feedback, or support. You can also join online or offline communities, forums, or events that focus on data quality and governance in order to share your insights and questions.

6 What are the benefits?

Becoming an ERP data steward or owner can bring you many benefits, both personally and professionally. For instance, you can enhance your resume, reputation, and visibility by demonstrating your data skills and knowledge, and by delivering value to your organization through data quality and governance. Additionally, you can help your organization achieve its goals and objectives by ensuring that the data in your ERP system is accurate, consistent, and secure. Moreover, you can enjoy the challenge and reward of working with data, as well as the satisfaction of being part of a data community that strives for excellence and improvement.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?