Why IT Needs Data Governance

In the grand scheme of things, Information Technology (IT) has been the heavyweight champion of the organizational landscape for decades. Led by the CIO, IT has traditionally held the reins of data management, carrying the bulk of the responsibility – and the budget. However, if we’re honest, the ROI from all that shiny tech has often been more of a whisper than a roar. Now, with AI investments piling onto the heap of tech infrastructure, there’s more pressure than ever to show some tangible results. Meanwhile, in the opposing corner, here comes the Non-Invasive Data Governance (NIDG) function, led by a CDO, CDAO, or CDAIO – or even nestled within a broader Data Strategy Office. And suddenly, IT realizes they’ve got some company in the data space. But this isn’t just some turf war; it’s about getting the organization to finally unlock the value of its data.

The beauty of Non-Invasive Data Governance is right there in the name : non-invasive. It doesn’t come in with the heavy hand of policy police, forcing everyone to fill out forms and hold endless meetings. Instead, NIDG works quietly, often behind the scenes, guiding the organization to handle data responsibly without disrupting the day-to-day flow of work. The CDO and their team aren’t there to make life harder for IT or anyone else. In fact, they’re there to make sure that all those data-related investments are working in harmony with what the business actually needs. Because let’s be real: buying new technology doesn’t mean much if the data itself isn’t governed and usable.

The ideal arrangement between NIDG and IT requires mutual respect and a healthy dose of collaboration. IT, typically led by the CIO, has been doing the heavy lifting in terms of infrastructure, networks, security, and storage for years. They know the ins and outs of the organization’s tech stack better than anyone. But they’ve traditionally been more focused on the technology itself than on ensuring the data flowing through those systems is aligned with business outcomes. That’s where the CDO and the NIDG function step in.

Rather than stepping on IT’s toes, NIDG complements IT’s technical focus by ensuring that the data is being treated as a business asset, not just a byproduct of the tech. The CDO and their team are the stewards of the organization’s data strategy, ensuring that the data is accurate, compliant, and ready to support decision-making. They do this by establishing a framework of rules, standards, and best practices that are easy to follow – yes, even for the IT folks – and integrated into the business’s existing operations.

But the question remains: why hasn’t IT, with all its funding, delivered the ROI that organizations expect? Well, it turns out that throwing money at technology doesn’t necessarily solve the real problem. Without governance, the data running through those high-tech systems is often chaotic, inconsistent, and untrustworthy. It’s like installing a state-of-the-art kitchen and then realizing you have no ingredients to cook with. Sure, the tech is flashy, but what good is it if the data is a mess?

This is where NIDG adds real value. The CDO or CDAO, working with the IT team, ensures that the data feeding into those systems is well-governed, reliable, and aligned with the business’s goals. The CIO continues to manage the technology, but NIDG ensures that the data itself is actually delivering on its promise. Together, they can start turning those AI and tech investments into tangible business value.

And let’s not forget AI, which has now joined the lineup of IT’s big promises. The buzz around AI is deafening , but once again, the technology is only as good as the data feeding it. Without proper data governance in place, AI investments will produce lackluster results at best, and outright disasters at worst. AI needs clean, governed, and well-understood data to provide accurate insights and drive automation. This is where the partnership between NIDG and IT becomes essential: IT provides the platforms, and NIDG ensures the quality of the data.

In the ideal setup, the CIO and CDO work in tandem, understanding that both functions are critical to the success of the data strategy. IT keeps the systems running smoothly, while NIDG ensures that the data flowing through those systems is fit for purpose. It’s a balance of technical excellence and strategic oversight, with NIDG ensuring that data governance is woven into the fabric of every business process – without slowing things down or creating unnecessary bureaucracy.

The days of IT shouldering the entire data burden are over. While IT continues to play an essential role, it’s time to recognize that managing data is more than just a technical challenge. It’s a business challenge. And that’s where the CDO and the NIDG function shine, ensuring that data is treated as the valuable asset it is. Together, IT and NIDG can deliver the ROI that’s been missing from years of tech investment. And let’s face it, if we’ve learned anything from decades of watching money go into tech with little to show for it, it’s that data governance isn’t just a nice-to-have – it’s the missing piece that finally makes the whole system work.

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