Governance for Big Data – Getting the right information for smarter business intelligence

With the explosion of data gathering, organizations everywhere are looking to gain a competitive advantage through better business intelligence. However, the challenge for large organizations is matching those Big Data projects with concrete business requirement in order to hit the organizations business objectives.

When an organization is faced with multiple data sources, inaccurate data, multiple departments- each with different needs- it is very easy to fall into the trap of implementing point solutions without regard to how they affect compliance or how they affect outcomes with regards to management’s goals. Proper Governance for Big Data eliminates these issues by defining direction and constraints. It makes policy and strategic decisions for business intelligence that replace point solutions built to put out individual fires so plans can be put in place to ensure organizations are only initiating projects that align with the strategic plans of management.

But how does an organization go from understanding the need for governance over their business intelligence to implementing a formal plan. To begin with organizations must determine from management, stakeholders and IT what information needs to be governed and how to best govern that information. Getting buy-in from all facets of an organization is key in any BI governance plan.

Next, organizations must maintain accountability with management and stakeholders for the BI governance plan in regards to:
• Determining business objectives
• Knowing all Stakeholder Groups
• Aligning Expectations
• Aligning Objectives
• Maintaining Communications

Finally, formal procedures must be put in place to measure performance and apply feedback.

Once the entire organization has a clear understanding of the goals, policies, and formal procedures of its BI initiatives they can begin delivering usable and meaningful business intelligence with these three main steps:
1. Gathering and organizing data
2. Turning raw data into meaningful information
3. Make actionable decisions aimed at fulfilling corporate strategic goals

Implementing proper Governance for Big Data means asking the right questions, and getting meaningful answers. By engaging with senior management, stakeholders, and IT, formal repeatable processes can be put in place meaningful insights to bolster the corporate goals.

RoundWorld Solutions offers a unique 360 degree view of Governance for Big Data. Our method consists of:

• Establish a Baseline
• Assessment
• Gap Analysis
• Stakeholder Alignment
• Determine Future State
Change Management
• Template Design
• Policies and Procedures
• Training and workshops
• Template execution
• Template transition
• Template training

This unique 360 degree view allows us to work with your organization at every step to investigate data quality, align management, stakeholders, and IT, and establish a plan to create proper outputs in order for your organization to maximize the use of its knowledge base to meet corporate goals.

You can find more information on our 2 week assessment

If you would like to discuss the Roundworld Solutions Big Data 360 View Tool, or this article please contact the author Arun Kumar – Vice President, Solutions and Delivery at arunk@roundworldsolutions.com or contact us today.