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Data Governance

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Data Governance Charter

Effective June 1, 2019

Vision

To establish an environment and formalize behavior around how data are defined, used, stored in order to enable and enhance organizational behaviors and decisions. 

Mission

Manage the quality, accessibility, availability, interpretation and security of data.  This mission is supported by people, policies, standards, process, education and technologies required to fully manage the University’s data asset. 

Scope

All University data, institution-wide. 

Guiding Principles

  • Create, preserve, and disseminate information
  • Catalyze data quality
  • Maximize data efficiency
  • Ensure data protection

Objectives

  • Facilitate data-informed decision making
  • Manage data assets
    • Identify data sources and the data to be captured
    • Define who is responsible and accountable for data management
    • Unify data sources
    • Improve and generate trust in data
  • Maintain data quality
    • Establish quality standards
    • Institute definition guidelines
  • Mitigate risk
    • Enforce information security policies
    • Support access to data assets with proper protection
    • Ensure organization’s frameworks are aligned with institutional, state, and federal policies
  • Promote data governance efforts through a communication plan

Data Quality

Purpose

To improve overall data quality by identifying, reporting and facilitating the correction of data inconsistencies.  To promote consistent definitions of data terms and use of data at Texas Christian University.

University data are key assets of TCU. Having data of the highest quality allows for better values-centered, data informed decisions, reduced work efforts in data cleansing and management, and timely answers to important questions that effect the strategic and tactical efforts of the University.

Objectives

  • To provide guidance and recommendations concerning TCU’s data related to expanding access, improving quality, strategic planning, assuring security, and business performance management.
  • Define data structures, models, definitions, processes that are clear. Ensure they support collaboration, effective decision-support and efficient use of TCU resources involving data quality.
  • Identify data quality issues that hinder accuracy and consistency of data within data applications;
  • Data Quality characteristics should including accuracy, validity, reliability, timeliness, relevance, completeness and compliance.

 Data Quality Process

  • Departments that steward and maintain TCU data are charged with insuring data quality, making the data available to central enterprise repositories, and diligently resolving data quality issues when identified.
  • Employees of TCU are asked to identify and report data quality issues to the Data Governance Board for resolution.

The Data Governance Board is responsible for mediating and resolving data quality issues in partnership with functional data stewards across campus.  If the data quality issue cannot be resolved through normal means, the issue will be escalated the Data Governance Executive Board, which has final authority to resolve data quality issues.

Data Governance Communication Plan

Purpose

The purpose of this document is to describe communication among participants of the TCU Data Governance (DG) Program.

Objectives

Data Governance is dependent upon consistent and reliable communication. The DG Program Communication plan is structured to ensure a steady and visible flow of information between program representatives the University at large. More specifically, the communication plan is designed to:

  • Initiate and maintain the precise communication needed for a successful DG Program
  • Ensure participants are aware of the status of the program, planned initiatives and their specific responsibilities including key action items, decisions or activities assigned to them
  • Educate each employee regarding their role and responsibilities in data governance
  • Manage the change associated with data governance
  • Ensure a collaborative and transparent environment for DG participants and activities

Key Audiences

The communication plan is positioned to reach key DG Program participants including:

  • Data Governance Executive Board
  • Data Governance Board
  • Data Governance Working Groups
  • Subject Area Working Groups
  • Data Users (TCU Faculty and Staff)

Communication Methods

The DG Program will utilize multiple communication methods and channels to ensure key messages and collateral are disseminated and available to appropriate audiences.

Content will be captured within multiple formats including documents, spreadsheets, and presentations. Communications will be distributed through multiple channels including but not limited to:

  • Web page(s)
  • Publications, including TCU This Week
  • Email
  • Meetings
  • Workshops and other presentations

Communication Strategy

The communication plan will need the capability to adapt as new messages arise, or as context changes.