Summary
Without strong data governance, organizations struggle with poor data quality, compliance risks, and inefficiencies. This episode breaks down what data governance truly is, why it’s essential for building trust in data, and how to implement a structured governance framework that supports better decision-making. We also discuss how metadata, business glossaries, and Lean Data Management can improve efficiency and ROI. If you want to maximize the value of your enterprise data while ensuring security and compliance, this episode is a must-listen. Tune in now to take control of your data governance strategy!
Transcript
Jocelyn 00:02:
You’re listening to Infoverity’s Trust Us podcast, where you can gear up for your data management journey with bite-sized discussions on industry trends and thought leadership. On each episode, we feature industry experts to help you navigate your path to mastering your enterprise data.
Hello and welcome to this week’s episode of the Trust Us podcast. Today, we’ll be talking about data governance. Our guests today are Ben Collins and Harriet Seteth, both leaders at Infoverity in the data governance space. We’ll explore what data governance is, what it is not, its value, and how Infoverity can help organizations get started on their data governance journey.
Welcome, Ben and Harriet! We’re so excited to have you here. Would you mind introducing yourselves?
Ben Collins 00:56:
Happy to be here, Jocelyn! Sure.
I’m Ben Collins, a leader in our data management space at Infoverity. My background is in supply chain analytics and revenue forecasting, and I got into data governance because I love process, people, and deriving value from enterprise data management projects.
Harriet Seteth 01:21:
And I’m Harriet Seteth. Thanks for the introduction, Jocelyn!
I’ve been with Infoverity for over four years, primarily working in data governance and data quality. My focus has been in healthcare, but I’ve worked across industries as well. I’m excited to be here!
Jocelyn 01:43:
Great! Let’s start with the basics.
There are many ways people define data governance. Let’s demystify it. What is data governance, and what is not data governance?
Ben Collins 02:01:
Data governance is the overall management of processes that ensure data is used in a way that adds value to the organization. At its core, data governance is about building trust in data.
It serves as the central thread connecting disparate systems, methodologies, and enterprise operations. It acts as the foundation for everything from analytics to master data management and transactional data usage.
Harriet Seteth 02:45:
I’d add that data governance focuses heavily on data ownership and stewardship. Beyond processes, it ensures that the right people are managing data effectively.
Jocelyn 03:07:
That’s helpful! Now, what isn’t data governance?
Ben Collins 03:13:
It is not just councils, busy work, or metadata management. Many tools focus heavily on metadata—data about data—but data governance is broader than just defining and cataloging metadata.
Metadata is valuable, but governance also includes processes, ownership, and data trust to enable organizations to use data effectively.
Jocelyn 03:58:
That makes sense. We often hear about data catalogs and business glossaries. How do these fit into data governance?
Ben Collins 04:18:
Data catalogs list all available enterprise data, often with tagging and organization features. They help teams find and trust the data they need.
Business glossaries provide context—they define terms, metrics, and internal standards. Together, these tools help create trust and efficiency in data use.
For example, if an analyst needs to generate a report on active customers, they need to know:
- What is an active customer?(Defined in the glossary)
- Where does this data come from?(Found in the catalog)
Harriet Seteth 06:26:
Exactly! A key benefit of governance is data enablement—giving people access to trusted data through centralized tools and clear definitions.
Jocelyn 07:44:
That’s excellent insight. Let’s discuss Unity Catalog—how does it support data governance?
Ben Collins 08:09:
Unity Catalog is a powerful tool but often misunderstood. Unlike traditional governance catalogs that manage data across systems, Unity Catalog is Databricks-specific. It focuses on tagging, access management, and data discovery within Databricks.
While not a full governance catalog, it works alongside governance catalogs to provide broader enterprise data visibility.
Jocelyn 10:34:
That’s helpful! Another term we hear often is Lean Data Management. What is it, and why is it valuable?
Ben Collins 11:01:
Lean Data Management applies Lean Manufacturing principles to data governance. It focuses on efficiency, reducing waste, and maximizing data value.
The process includes:
- Mapping current state processes
- Identifying inefficiencies
- Defining a measurable, future-state roadmap
This approach helps organizations quantify ROI and measure time-to-value for data investments.
Jocelyn 14:58:
That’s a fascinating concept! Now, for organizations just getting started—how can Infoverity help?
Ben Collins 15:49:
Infoverity offers flexible solutions, including:
- Kaizen-style workshops– Intensive one-week events to assess governance maturity and find quick wins.
- Governance framework design– Defining roles, responsibilities, and data ownership structures.
- Tool implementation & training– Helping teams set up and optimize governance tools like data catalogs and business glossaries.
- Ongoing support– Assisting with process improvement, tool expansion, and long-term governance maturity.
Harriet Seteth 17:57:
That covers it well! Every client’s needs are different, but the key questions remain the same, helping us tailor solutions.
Jocelyn 18:17:
To summarize:
- Data governance is about trust, ownership, and process management.
- It includes catalogs, glossaries, and enablement tools—not just metadata management.
- Lean Data Management helps quantify value and improve efficiency.
- Infoverity supports organizations at every stage, from workshops to full-scale governance implementations.
Ben Collins 20:47:
That was a great summary! One final point—most organizations already do some level of governance. Our role is to make it more structured and efficient.
Jocelyn 21:47:
That’s a great perspective! Ben and Harriet, thank you so much for joining us today. I’m sure we’ll have more discussions on data governance in future episodes.
Ben Collins 22:23:
Thanks for having us!
Harriet Seteth 22:26:
Thank you!
Jocelyn 22:30:
For over a decade, Infoverity has been a trusted leader in enterprise data management consulting, with experts worldwide and headquarters in Columbus, Ohio, and Valencia, Spain.
To learn more, visit infoverity.com. Additional contact details are in the show notes.
