The Data Asset: How Smart Companies Govern Their Data for Business Success

CHAPTER 10

The Quality Culture

Quality is not an act, it is a habit.

ARISTOTLE

EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW

Before reading another page in this book, it is important that you buy into the idea that you have the power to move your company into the governed stage. Even if you are looking at your organization, shaking your head and asking, How on Earth will I do this? The fact that you are looking shows the potential for growth.

Here is what we have learned so far:

• Data is entering our organizations at an ever-increasing rate.

• Data has the potential to make our businesses successful, or it can lead to disaster.

• Data should be treated and funded as a corporate asset.

• Sound data management practices require constant and long-term attention.

Given the important role data can play in organizations, it is critical to approach data management with sound, repeatable processes and to create a culture of quality for all data initiatives.

Part Two gave you the information needed to assess your organization’s location on the Data Governance Maturity Model and a framework for becoming a more mature organization. In this part, I will take an in-depth look at the people and process requirements (technology requirements will be discussed in Part Four) for creating a quality culture—a culture that will put you on the path to becoming a governed organization. You will see how making a few key business ...