Data governance is the best practices and processes that make the most efficient use of institutional data. To support effective and innovative management, Auburn’s institutional data must be accessible, accurate, and easily integrated across the university’s information systems to support our organization’s strategic goals. At its core, OneAuburn works to remove data silos and moves toward a shared data platform.
ADVANTAGES TO DATA GOVERNANCE
Removes Data Silos
Promotes Data Ownership
Creates Policy and agreements for data sharing
Ensures consistent and secure data storage
Promotes guidelines and best practices
Encourages communication and knowledge sharing among stakeholders and data stewards
Auburn University currently licenses multiple software products that support the institution’s programs and business functions. Over time, these products often become siloed among the unit(s) using them, resulting in siloed data. This current practice typically leads to uninformed decisions, duplicated work, and the unnecessary spending of resources that result from data that is not accessible from a common source. Apart from increasing costs each year to maintain numerous software platforms (many of which duplicate similar functions) the university can benefit from more strategic information sharing that support decisions involving resources or other implications.
In April 2020, the Data Governance Committee became a university recognized committee. Additionally, the Data Council serves as a tactical working group addressing more specific data element needs. Data governance and business processes must continue to mature as more data is stored and becomes available.
