This post is an excerpt from GovLoop’s recent research guide, Stop Data Hoarding: Why You Need an Information Governance Strategy.
Information governance incorporates the policies, controls and information lifecycle management processes organizations and government agencies utilize to control cost and risk. With the explosive growth of data storage and retention requirements, every department and agency is impacted.
Key Principles of Information Governance
An information governance strategy may vary in the details from agency to agency, as no two sets of needs are exactly the same. Some common qualities of any well thought-out plan will emerge, however, regardless of the specific organization.
First, the quality of the data must be consistent. This can be achieved through well-documented and repeatable processes and accurate data collection automation. Next, the information must conform to certain standards, possibly via automated data tagging and/or schemas. Lastly, the volume and complexity of the data must be easily manageable. This is usually done with automated data processing for analytics, and visualizations such as dashboard interfaces.
Information as a Strategic Asset
An information governance strategy underscores an organization’s commitment to managing its data and information strategically. It establishes important policies concerning an agency’s data, which give an administrator the increased ability to prioritize investments. It also creates trust through protection of information, information assets and privacy, as well as providing accountability for managing information.
Such strategies also promote standardization, not only within an agency, but between organizations. Its processes become more efficient, repeatable and independent of bias. And it is easier to put controls on the protection of information.
