How can you solve data steward and owner conflicts?

In my experience, use of the RACI matrix has been instrumental. The RACI matrix, pivotal for data governance, streamlines roles, aids communication, and curbs conflicts. It classifies roles as: Responsible (task executors), Accountable (primary overseers), Consulted (feedback providers), and Informed (those updated). To implement in data governance, define data-related tasks and pinpoint stakeholders. Data Stewards mainly ensure data quality while Data Owners decide on its proper use. Document the matrix, ensuring all have access for clarity. Update as roles evolve and utilize it for conflict resolution. Training stakeholders on RACI further reduces potential disputes. This structure enhances data management by clearly defining roles.

Let's start at the crux of this issue: what does corporate "data ownership" really mean? The incentives and motivations of an individual assigned a role as an "owner" are not aligned with actual ownership of "the data." When that individual leaves the organization (as all eventually do), there is no retention of ownership or any aspect of intellectual property. If an individual assigned the role of data owner is tasked with the responsibility and accountability with how corporate policies about information are enforced, then what is the difference between a data owner and a data steward? Finesse the issues raised here by using the lens of policy compliance. Corporate data is owned by the organization and is governed by policy.

Clearly defined role and responsibilities set the boundaries for data stewards and data owners. These roles work very closely and clear communication between the roles is mandatory in order to avoid conflicts. Regular meetings, grouping together and communicating the expectations would really help.

A person responsible for looking after another person or thing is the definition I think of when I think of stewardship. Looking after something and owning it should be pretty easy to differentiate. There was mention in another comment of RACI and I think that will absolutely help. Even more impactful though is to have a more collaborative approach to governing data. Include business stakeholders, data practitioners, and support players help decide what owner versus steward should mean for your organization as well as who should be in each role. There is no right answer here as the solution is different for every team. Owning and stewarding are things people do and as such, one size does not fit all.

Agreed, having data quality standards and metrics drives the right types of discussion. What we should also think about is the level of granularity of the data and data availability, this becomes important when researching potential drivers and solutions.

Increasing number of privacy laws and moral responsibility to protect data demands implementation of strict data access and security control but implementing data access and security control policy can sometimes become difficult for stewards and owners due to usage and criticality of data. By implementing clearly defined role-based access control (RBAC) model, that is built on the guidelines set by CISO will not only help the organization in minimizing the noise but also creating a robust control over the data. Clearly defined, communicated, and accepted roles and responsibilities having buy in from the top management which are build keeping in mind the long-term objective can help in elimination a lot of tension between different parties.

Data owners primarily are accountable for the business needs and requirements of the users. Data Stewards are primarily responsible for laying out the standards, policies, and procedures for managing the data effectively. Having a RACI matrix with the actors defined for each of the Data Management dimensions (Like Data Catalog, Data Governance, Data Quality, etc.) is the key. This will help in making the roles and responsibilities clear and at the same time having the proper communication enabled by doing frequent check-ins as needed in the journey.