How do we align with business initiatives? | Amazon Web Services

Summary

In this AWS Data Governance masterclass, Kevin Lewis emphasizes the criticality of aligning data governance with business initiatives for success. He warns against the common pitfall of promoting data governance in isolation, suggesting instead to position it as a foundational support for existing business initiatives. Lewis advocates for a reverse approach: start with business needs and let data governance naturally follow. He illustrates this with examples, highlighting the importance of data governance in major initiatives and how it should be perceived as indispensable, akin to a 'load-bearing wall' in construction.

Takeaways

• 🚀 **Start Right**: The initial approach to data governance is crucial, with strategic alignment to business initiatives being key to success.
• ⚖️ **Subtle Difference**: The distinction between promoting data governance for its own sake versus its role in supporting business initiatives is subtle but impactful.
• 🏗️ **Load-Bearing Wall**: Position data governance as a foundational support (like a load-bearing wall in construction) for major business initiatives.
• 🔍 **Business Initiative Focus**: Identify and align data governance with funded or likely-to-be-funded business initiatives to ensure it's valued and necessary.
• 🚫 **Avoid Competing**: Do not let data governance compete with the initiatives it should support; instead, make it an integral part of their success.
• 🔑 **Data as a Resource**: Treat data as a resource that, when properly governed, can contribute to and enhance the success of business initiatives.
• 📈 **Value Measurement**: Measure the value of data governance by its contribution to business initiatives, not just by data governance metrics alone.
• 📊 **Data Integration**: Prioritize data integration efforts based on the needs of targeted business initiatives to ensure data coherence and utility.
• 📋 **Prioritization**: Use business initiatives to guide the prioritization of data governance tasks such as data cataloging and quality improvements.
• 💡 **Funding Strategy**: Leverage the dependency of major business initiatives on quality data to secure funding and support for data governance.

Q & A

What is the key focus of the AWS Data Governance masterclass presented by Kevin Lewis?

The key focus is on business alignment and starting a data governance program on the right foot, emphasizing the importance of aligning data governance with existing business initiatives rather than creating a standalone case for it.

What does Kevin Lewis suggest as a common mistake that can lead to struggles in data governance programs?

A common mistake is making a business case for data governance on its own, which can lead to competing with the very initiatives that data governance should support.

Why is it problematic to propose the value of data governance separately from business initiatives?

It's problematic because it can lead to competing with the initiatives that should be supported, rather than integrating data governance as a foundational element that strengthens those initiatives.

What is the 'load-bearing wall' analogy used by Kevin Lewis to describe the role of data governance?

The 'load-bearing wall' analogy refers to positioning data governance as an essential support structure for major business initiatives, similar to how a load-bearing wall is crucial for the stability of a building.

How does Kevin Lewis recommend selecting business initiatives to support with data governance?

He recommends selecting funded business initiatives or those very likely to be funded, ensuring that data governance efforts are aligned with and contribute directly to the success of these initiatives.

What is the importance of understanding the data needed for targeted initiatives in data governance?

Understanding the data needed is crucial as it helps in assessing the condition of the data and determining what actions are required to ensure the data meets the needs of the specific initiatives.

Why should data governance not be prioritized based on its own value according to the script?

Prioritizing data governance based on its own value can lead to a misalignment with the actual needs and goals of the business. Instead, it should be prioritized based on its contribution to the success of major business initiatives.

What is the significance of aligning data governance with multiple business initiatives?

Aligning with multiple initiatives can reveal data reuse opportunities, drive data integration, and help prioritize the work needed in partnership between IT and the business to position data to meet the needs of these initiatives.

How does Kevin Lewis suggest measuring the value of a data governance program?

He suggests measuring the value by assessing the contribution of the data governance program to one or more business initiatives, either through quantifiable metrics or anecdotal evidence of its necessity for the success of those initiatives.

What is the test proposed by Kevin Lewis to check if the data governance program is correctly aligned with business initiatives?

The test is to consider the consequences if the data governance program were to be canceled. If cancellation would necessitate canceling other major funded initiatives, it indicates that the data governance program is correctly aligned and seen as essential, like a load-bearing wall.