This plan focuses on identifying the best metrics to evaluate data governance effectiveness, which is essential for ensuring that corporate data is accurate, secure, and compliant. Through the defined metrics, organizations can measure the quality, compliance, security, access, and retention of their data.
For example, the "Data quality score" measures the accuracy and completeness of data, while "Compliance rate" ensures that data processes adhere to regulations. These metrics help organizations maintain high standards and provide suggestions for improvement, such as implementing data validation rules and compliance monitoring tools.
Tracking metrics like "Data breach incidents" and "Data access control" emphasizes the importance of data security and access management, ensuring minimal unauthorized access and breaches. Lastly, "Data retention adherence" ensures that data is kept in alignment with governance policies, supporting both legal and operational needs.
Top 5 metrics for Data governance effectiveness
1. Data quality score
Represents the accuracy, completeness, and reliability of data. Calculated by evaluating data against predefined quality criteria.
What good looks like for this metric: 95% or higher
How to improve this metric:- Implement data validation rules
- Conduct regular data quality audits
- Utilise data cleansing tools
- Ensure consistent data entry procedures
- Provide regular training for data handlers
2. Compliance rate
Measures the percentage of data processes in compliance with relevant regulations and policies.
What good looks like for this metric: 98% or higher
How to improve this metric:- Establish clear data governance policies
- Regularly review and update compliance guidelines
- Implement automated compliance monitoring tools
- Conduct periodic compliance training
- Schedule regular internal audits
3. Data breach incidents
Tracks the number of data breaches or security incidents within a specified period.
What good looks like for this metric: Zero breaches
How to improve this metric:- Strengthen data security protocols
- Conduct regular vulnerability assessments
- Use encryption for sensitive data
- Implement multi-factor authentication
- Train employees on security best practices
4. Data access control
Measures the effectiveness of access controls by tracking unauthorised access attempts.
What good looks like for this metric: Less than 2% unauthorised attempts
How to improve this metric:- Regularly review and update access control policies
- Implement role-based access control
- Monitor and log access attempts
- Conduct regular access audits
- Use secure authentication methods
5. Data retention adherence
Assesses how closely data retention practices align with data governance policies.
What good looks like for this metric: 100% adherence
How to improve this metric:- Develop and communicate clear data retention policies
- Implement automated data retention tools
- Regularly review data retention schedules
- Conduct training on data retention practices
- Monitor and enforce compliance with retention policies
How to track Data governance effectiveness metrics
It's one thing to have a plan, it's another to stick to it. We hope that the examples above will help you get started with your own strategy, but we also know that it's easy to get lost in the day-to-day effort.
That's why we built Tability: to help you track your progress, keep your team aligned, and make sure you're always moving in the right direction.
Give it a try and see how it can help you bring accountability to your metrics.
