Guiding Principles
DATA STRATEGY
Our data governance initiative seeks to bolster data literacy at all levels of our institution. Data literacy, a pillar of data governance, ensures that operational experts (who best understand the context around data) are empowered to use data to shape their strategic goals. By incorporating data literacy into governance efforts, we ensure that data literacy initiatives are also aligned with these strategic goals, fostering a unified approach to data strategy, management, and utilization.1
PROMOTING DATA STANDARDS
Data governance highlights the work of data stewards to establish data standards and metadata2. These activities allow data users to transform data into information – a goal of data literacy efforts. This structured framework, bolstered by a rich data catalog, empowers individuals to understand and interpret data correctly.
DATA VALUE
Data governance ensures that data are accurate, consistent, and reliable. By treating data as a first class citizen, we hope to aid FSU in deriving the greatest benefit from our data and to help advance the institution and ensure student, faculty, staff, and institutional success.
DATA ACCESS AND SECURITY
Governance places standards around data access and security, ensuring that the right data is ‘fit for purpose’ – or placed in the right hands at the right time3.
COMPLIANCE AND ETHICAL USE
Data governance often includes compliance frameworks. This program seeks to ensure that individuals understand the legal and ethical responsibilities associated with data use, reducing the risk of non-compliance.
EFFICIENT DATA HANDLING
Data governance defines roles and responsibilities for data management, such as file structure, data handling, and data storage. By teaching individuals how to implement these roles effectively, data governance improves data handling processes, reducing errors and inefficiencies.
EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION
Governance structures data for consistency and standardization, making it easier to communicate data insights effectively. By leveraging data literacy through formal training and the data catalog, it also equips individuals with the skills to present data-informed findings coherently, fostering better communication within FSU. With decision-makers experiencing information overload, effective communication is necessary to drive institutional change.
CHANGE MANAGEMENT
As data governance evolves to adapt to changing data landscapes and regulations, data literacy ensures that individuals are prepared to embrace these changes. This can help in mitigating resistance to new data governance policies or practices.
CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT
The data governance program at FSU promotes a culture of continuous improvement. By upskilling our campus partners through data management best practices, we hope to move our institution’s data maturity to the next level.