Many use the terms “data management” and “data governance” interchangeably, but the definition of these terms actually differ quite significantly — and that could be a problem if you’re seeking assistance with data solutions. So what’s the difference between data management vs data governance and how can you determine which solution is right for your company’s needs?
Data Management vs Data Governance: The Simple Definitions
At its simplest form, data management is the broader concept, while data governance is a narrow aspect of data management.
Data management entails the implementation of tools, processes and architectures that are designed to achieve your company’s objectives. Data governance involves managing how data is accessed and handled within a larger data management strategy, down to access granted to specific users and compliance protocols.
What is Data Management?
Data management is a term that arose in the 1980s when companies started to accumulate large volumes of data that required a comprehensive management strategy. These strategies enabled businesses to make the most of their information.
Data management strategies must consider how data is stored, accessed and utilized at all phases of its lifecycle. Companies require a strong management strategy in order to leverage data in a way that brings maximum benefit, whether it’s an e-commerce company’s sales data, a hospital’s patient data or anything in between.
Where there is data, there are also security risks that must be minimized and mitigated, making this a critical element of any data management strategy. Your approach must change over time as threats evolve.
New technology also impacts data management, since new software and hardware will affect how data is stored, protected, accessed and utilized. This can include cloud-based data storage and system integration, among other things.
What is Data Governance?
Data governance is a vital component of enterprise data strategies. Data is a business asset and as such, it must be protected and managed. This is the primary focus of data governance. Since governance is an aspect of data management, there is some overlap in terms of focus, but data governance tends to deal primarily with the actual handling and usage of data.
A data governance strategy may address some of the following issues:
- How stored enterprise data is organized, protected, and accessed in data warehouse and data lake environments;
- Who can access which segments of data (and how to minimize unnecessary access in an effort to minimize risk);
- Determining who will manage enterprise data and establishing a system of accountability for those roles;
- Develop policies to maintain compliance with various laws and regulations, such as GDPR, HIPAA, and CCPA;
- Identifying and implementing tools that can be leveraged to make the most of your data, including predictive analytics engines and visualization tools (such as those that are offered via Sertics.)
Data governance focuses more narrowly on the issues surrounding access, protection, compliance and usage with the goal of bringing maximum benefits to a business or organization.
At 7T, we understand the many challenges associated with data governance and your larger data management strategy. We have a talented team of data experts and developers, who can assist with everything from cloud integration and system integration, to developing new custom software platforms (including ERP platforms and CRMs) and mobile apps to help you make the most of your data.
Managing massive volumes of data is made far easier when you have a team of high-tech experts supporting your efforts. Headquartered in Dallas, 7T has regional offices located in Chicago and Houston and works with clients worldwide. So if you need guidance with your data management and data governance efforts, contact the team at 7T today.
