What do you do if your data governance team is spread across different locations?

To effectively manage a geographically dispersed data governance team, you have to establish clear communication channels, utilize collaborative tools, and schedule regular virtual meetings to discuss updates and align on priorities. Also, it's very important to maintain a centralized repository for documentation, where everyone can easily access, fostering a culture of inclusivity and awareness of cultural differences. :)

Managing a data governance team that's spread across different locations can present unique challenges, particularly in areas like communication, collaboration, and consistency in processes. Here are several practices you can employ: 1. Implement modern communication tools (Slack, Microsoft Teams, or Zoom) 2. Set & adopt clear Standards, Policies, Practices & Processes. 3. Use modern Data Governance Platform that automate, control, track & monitor Data Governance functions (Axon Data Governance, Collibra Data Governance, Talad Data Fabric) 4. Assign local champions in each location who can oversee adherence to governance practices on the ground. 5. Provide ongoing training and development to keep all team members up to date.

I would love to have team members in different locations, which will add great flavor to the data governance presence and will bolster the efforts of our Steward community. I believe that the team objectives, scorecards, standards, way of work and regular engagements will be enough to keep our goals and roadmap lined up in our scope. We have flexed our remote work muscles enough to make us more than capable to communicate either way and to entice our users and stakeholders into fruitful engagements. The regional locations often feel neglected and as we morph back to the office, a presence might be well received.

You will set goals whether or not your organization is dispersed anyway. On the other hand, if you have not created communication channels to synchronize your teams regardless of the time difference, you will never succeed. Maintaining the coherence of a dispersed team requires providing effective communication tools accessible 24/7 and ensuring that teams synchronize regularly to stay aligned

In addition to establishing regular communications and utilizing virtual collaboration tools (as many contributors are pointing out), I would make sure that roles and responsibilities of the team members are clearly defined (governance framework), and opportunities for training and development are provided. Also, utilize a full potential of a modern DG tool by using it for onboarding and training!

Onboard the various teams/processes/systems/applications/users on a single Data Governance platform or a DG tool. Encourage and reward adoption of technology with Data governance rather than legacy approaches

Consolidate into a single funnel. Market Data Commercial Governance requires a single book of truth holding all facets of usage to allow policies to be overlaid and checked against reality. The whole team must live within this tool and reviews must be conducted within it. Collaboration virtually or in the same location is identical; tooling is everything.

Leverage virtual collaboration tools and platforms to facilitate document sharing, version control, and collaborative editing of policies, procedures, and documentation. Platforms such as SharePoint, Google Workspace, or Microsoft Teams can enable seamless collaboration among distributed team members.

Leveraging technology such as collaboration tools and virtual meeting platforms enables my dispersed data governance team to stay connected and work together seamlessly. Regular virtual check-ins help to foster open communication.

When your data governance team is spread out in different places, communication is key. Use communication tools like video calls, emails, and messaging apps to stay connected. Set clear goals and guidelines for everyone to follow, and make sure everyone understands their roles and responsibilities. Regular meetings and updates can help keep everyone on the same page. Encourage collaboration and sharing of ideas despite the distance. Building a strong team culture and trust is important for success, even when you're not in the same location.

Clearly define roles, responsibilities, and expectations for each team member, regardless of their location. Ensure that everyone understands their role in the data governance process and how their contributions align with broader organizational goals.

Defining roles and responsibilities clearly helps to avoid confusion and ensures that each team member knows their specific tasks and deliverables. This clarity promotes accountability and efficiency across locations.

Instead of geographical separation being a hindrance, see it as a chance to foster a vibrant, varied collection of viewpoints and experiences. By actively promoting inclusivity and appreciation, encourage team members to share their distinct insights and perspectives. Whether it's acknowledging individual accomplishments or commemorating team milestones, acts of gratitude form the foundation of a supportive, nurturing environment. From cutting-edge project management platforms to virtual whiteboarding tools, innovative technologies bridge the gap caused by distance, facilitating instant communication & collaboration. By embracing technology as a means of connection, the team surpasses physical barriers to achieve synergy and effectiveness.

Foster a culture of knowledge sharing and collaboration within the team by organizing virtual training sessions, workshops, and knowledge-sharing sessions. Encourage team members to share best practices, lessons learned, and insights from their respective areas of expertise. Despite physical distance, make an effort to cultivate a sense of camaraderie and team cohesion among distributed team members. Organize virtual team-building activities, social events, or informal coffee chats to foster relationships and strengthen bonds among team members.

Fostering a strong culture of trust, transparency, and open communication is crucial for a distributed data governance team. Regular team-building activities and social events help to build relationships and camaraderie.

I'm all too familiar with running data governance programs with teams spread over the globe. Standardization of approaches and processes is even more important in these cases to enable alignment, to measure and control progress and to send out a unified voice. At the same time, cultural differences often require differences and small adjustments. Ignoring this can cause impediments and lack of adoption.

This article is asking more of a standard management question than strictly a data governance one, but it’s important nevertheless. Ultimately every data governance team will feel like it’s in different locations because so much of the success of governance relies on cross functional teams working together, and not explicit directs. As such, a lasting unified charter and long term vision is key. To quote James Clear: “You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.” I’ve seen dozens of failed teams and initiatives across my career and consistently of attention was always the thing that killed them. People come and go, but the vision and process should always remain.

Standardised approaches are key. If a review process is not conducted the same globally then quality of control goes out of the window. Tooling and structure is vital in getting this correct.

Standardizing processes and procedures across locations ensures consistency and quality in our data governance practices. This also enables seamless knowledge sharing and collaboration among team members.

Clear guidelines on master data libraries (especially products ranges and clients groups) are a key to avoid reprocessing and manual work. Therefore sharing these critical elements needs consensus and continuous synchronization. Standardized processes end up in standardized data to enhance fluidity and strategic vision sharing.

I have daily check-ins “stand-ups” with my team, something I learnt from running a development team. Having a strong task management within a robust and central tool which acts as a funnel is also vital.

Monitoring progress regularly through metrics and KPIs helps me to identify areas for improvement and optimize our data governance strategy for maximum impact despite the physical distance between team members

Training: Data governance has three main pillars and once should rely on them. 1. Technology: 2. Procedure: 3. People When you team is spreaded in various locations than third which is main pillar i.e. people needs a focused approach. Other aspects of people management is discussed above. Imparting training to you team plays vital role and to stay connected. This way you get chance to evaluate your team and allow them to get updated on recent knowledge. One can toch various topics on technology and procedures periodically. Exchanging knowledge keep team motivated and one get a chance to speak. This also helps in having sustainable data governance.

Establish Regular Check-ins and Meetings: Schedule regular check-ins and meetings to keep everyone aligned and informed. These meetings provide an opportunity to discuss progress, address challenges, and strategize for future initiatives. Consider rotating meeting times to accommodate different time zones and ensure inclusivity.