Bridging Data Governance and Reporting: The Impact of Data Governance on Analytics

🔊 Listen Article

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Bridging Data Governance and Reporting: Introduction

Working at JPMorgan Chase was an exceptional experience where I gained valuable project management skills by overseeing a project and consultant headcount database. My responsibilities included bridging data governance and reporting, coordinating data collection from various Treasury Services departments, tracking projects from initiation to completion, and monitoring the number of consultants involved. This role ignited my curiosity about project management, which led me to enroll at Saint Peter’s University, a private Jesuit institution recognized as one of the best regional universities in the North, according to the US News Ranking. At Saint Peter’s, I deepened my financial knowledge, pursued a degree in Management Information Systems, and ultimately earned a Master of Business Administration in 2004.

My early education played a significant role in shaping my path. I attended Saint Petersburg Cinematography University in Russia, where, during my first year, I became a member of the youth scientist group focused on programming microprocessors and employing Pascal as the development computing language. Moreover, I had the privilege of being invited to join the Russian mathematics champion team. From a young age, I began utilizing information systems to address business challenges.

Project Management Certification

My passion for managing information systems persisted, leading me to complete the Project Management Institute’s PMP exam in 2005. Shortly thereafter, I assumed the role of assistant manager at Columbia University Student Information Systems. But before, I underwent comprehensive training, beginning with Harold D. Kerzner, Ph.D., Senior Executive Director at the International Institute for Learning, Inc., who provided invaluable insights. Subsequently, I trained under Frank Saladis at Boston University, where he presented advanced concepts that are seldom covered in conventional textbooks.

Untangling the Data Dilemma: Reporting Inconsistencies at Columbia

After several months at Columbia, a critical issue became evident: reporting was inconsistent, and executives were receiving conflicting versions of the truth. The problem was widespread and rooted in poorly managed data systems. Employees utilized various incompatible reporting tools and databases, resulting in reports that often failed to align. The underlying cause was clear—each dataset snapshot was captured at different times. Furthermore, some employees would download data, clean it, and generate reports without uploading the cleaned data back to the shared databases. This practice created extensive inconsistencies across departments.

The Importance of Data Governance

Recognizing the need for change, I decided to take decisive action. My first step was to establish a robust framework for data governance. I ensured that executives recognized data as a critical company asset, emphasizing its intrinsic value and monetary importance akin to other assets. Before tackling the reporting issues, I understood the importance of building a strong foundation. To this end, I joined the technology committee of the school senate, where I advocated for the significance of data governance. To bolster my case, I consulted a former manager from Chase who was leading data governance efforts at a CUNY university. He generously shared an extensive collection of documents, which significantly shaped my mind and strengthened our initiative.

Developing a Collaborative Effort

Next, I leveraged my personal connections. Subsequently, I invited key executives to a meeting. The attendees included the Chief Information Officer. Also, the Head of Security was present. Moreover, the Head of Reporting and Technology joined us. In addition, business representatives from multiple schools participated. I was merely a Data Manager who managed to bring together numerous important executives on a weekly basis. I achieved that by presenting myself as a project manager, effectively facilitating their organizational processes and structuring their decision-making strategies in a clear and efficient manner. This is one of the valuable skills I acquired under the guidance of Frank Saladis at Boston University.

Consequently, this effort was divided into three main areas:

1. Data Security – Protecting sensitive information.
2. Reporting – Ensuring accuracy and consistency.
3. Data Stewardship – Defining accountability and best practices.

Without strong data governance, reliable reporting was impossible. Likewise, effective decision-making was out of reach. Hence, we worked tirelessly. We produced critical documents outlining the data governance strategy. Additionally, we focused on securing data and improving entitlement policies.

Unexpected Challenges

Regrettably, life took an unforeseen turn, and I soon fell ill, leading to a prolonged period of disability. As a result, I was forced to leave the university. Regrettably, I could not finalize the project. Nevertheless, the groundwork was established. The framework, policies, and overall strategy were in place. Importantly, awareness had been raised across the organization.

Bridging Data Governance and Reporting: Conclusion

Data governance is essential for every institution. Without it, reporting and decision-making suffer. Furthermore, organizations risk inefficiencies and inaccuracies. In addition, they become vulnerable to security breaches. Although I had to leave Columbia University, I remain proud of the work accomplished. The experience reinforced my passion for managing information systems. More importantly, it highlighted the critical role of data governance in any institution. Moving forward, organizations must prioritize data governance. They must recognize that data is an invaluable asset. Consequently, they should implement frameworks that ensure accuracy, security, and consistency. Ultimately, businesses and institutions will achieve better insights, stronger decision-making, and enhanced operational efficiency.

This publication marks the beginning of a weekly series of articles I will author on Data Governance, Reporting, and Analytics.

References

Data Governance and Data Analytics: A Comprehensive Guide | Data Meaning

Similar Articles

Amplifying your mba with a pmp benefits – Natural Memo