What’s Not Working in Data Governance

Data governance is the backbone of effective data-driven organizations—or at least it’s supposed to be.

So, why are there so many initiatives struggle to gain traction?

Beneath the polished frameworks and ambitious roadmaps lie three persistent challenges that undermine the effectiveness of data governance efforts: underperforming data governance councils, elusive data ownership, and the undervaluation of data stewardship.

Let’s reflect on why these critical components often fail and what we can do about it.

1. The Misfire of data governance councils

Data governance councils are intended to steer organizational efforts toward better data management. However, they often become little more than ceremonial gatherings. Why?

• Lack of accountability: Councils often function as advisory bodies without the authority to make binding decisions, rendering their recommendations toothless.
• Overrepresentation or misrepresentation: Membership often skews toward senior leadership with limited day-to-day involvement in data issues. The result? Meetings filled with strategic talk but little operational impact.
• Meeting fatigue: The very format of councils—periodic meetings—can lead to stagnation, with more emphasis on discussion than action.

What’s needed is a shift from governance by committee to governance by execution. Councils should act as enablers of decision-making, empowering functional teams with clear mandates and accountability to drive initiatives forward.

2. The uphill battle for data ownership

Assigning data ownership sounds simple on paper but proves impossible in practice. Organizations face countless of obstacles:

• Ambiguity in accountability: Who owns the data: the business team that generates it, the IT team that stores it, or the analytics team that uses it? The answer often falls into a grey area that no one wants to claim.
• Fear of responsibility: Ownership is not just a title; it comes with obligations to maintain, secure, and govern data. Many individuals or departments shy away, fearing the workload or exposure to scrutiny.
• Cultural barriers: Data ownership is a relatively new concept for many organizations. Resistance to change, siloed mindsets, and lack of clarity about its benefits further slow adoption.

To overcome these barriers, organizations need to embed ownership into roles where it aligns with existing responsibilities. Pair this with robust support structures, clear incentives, and organizational buy-in to turn data ownership into an opportunity, not a burden.

3. Why data stewardship remains undervalued

Data stewards are the unsung heroes of data governance—responsible for ensuring data quality, consistency, and usability. But rarely recognized as value creators. Why is this the case?

• Invisible contributions: Data stewardship involves behind-the-scenes work like cleansing, cataloging, and monitoring. While critical, these tasks lack the visibility to demonstrate tangible ROI.
• Misaligned metrics: Organizations often measure value in terms of revenue or efficiency gains, leaving little room to appreciate foundational work like improving data integrity.
• Positioned as gatekeepers: Stewards are seen as blockers, enforcing rules that slow down immediate business needs, rather than as enablers of long-term success.

To change this perception, organizations need to highlight the link between stewardship and business outcomes. This could mean reframing stewardship as an enabler of innovation or showcasing success stories where better data quality led to measurable results.

Moving from theory to impact

Data governance has no shortage of frameworks, tools, and methodologies, but its effectiveness often falls short due to misaligned structures, cultural resistance, and undervalued roles. To break free from these challenges, organizations must shift their focus from theoretical governance to practical, action-oriented strategies.

Reinvigorate councils by emphasizing execution over discussion. Simplify and clarify data ownership responsibilities. Elevate data stewardship by aligning it with business value.

Data governance is not about creating more processes—it’s about enabling the right ones to unlock the true potential of your organization’s data.