Glossaries, Dictionaries, and Catalogs Result in Data Governance

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Copyright © 2022 Robert S. Seiner – KIK Consulting & Educational Services / TDAN.com
Non-Invasive Data Governance™ is a trademark of Robert S. Seiner & KIK Consulting
#RWDG @RSeiner
Real-World Data Governance
Glossaries, Dictionaries, and Catalogs Result in Data Governance
Monthly Webinar Series Hosted by DATAVERSITY
Robert S. Seiner – KIK Consulting / TDAN.com
July 21, 2022 – 11:00 a.m. PT / 2:00 p.m. ET
Result

Jim Barker
Director of Professional Services, Data Strategy
Glossaries, Dictionaries, and Catalogs
Result in Data Governance

2 | © 2022 Alation, Inc. – All Rights Reserved.
Data Intelligence + Human Brilliance™
Data Governance Elevator Pitch & Definition
Data Governance is the people, processes, and technology that enable delivery of the
right data to the right people at the right time to allow data driven decisions based
upon trusted information bridging the gap between technology & the business.

Data Architecture
Data
Quality
Data
Security
DataOps
Standards
&
Compliance
Data Leadership

Supported by Alation Active Data Governance
Service Offering
Monitor & Measure
• Determine policy conformance
• Create curation analysis
• Measure usage & asset creation
• Establish data quality
Establish Governance
Framework
• Set mission & vision
• Create policies, standards & glossaries
Populate Data Catalog
• Ingest metadata (technical, business,
lineage)
• Analyze metadata (top users, popular
data)
Empower Data Stewards
• Recognize and assign stewards
• Automate stewardship processes
• Identify reviewers & workflow approvers
Curate Assets
• Describe data, apply quality flags
• Surface descriptions, quality, etc. to
users at point of data use
Drive Community
Collaboration
• Promote trusted data use
• Leverage community knowledge
• Determine whether data is fit for
purpose / intended use
Apply Policies & Controls
• Implement policies & controls
• Enforce policies & controls
How Alation Powers Active Data Governance

NextGen Data Quality Process - 12 Step
Communicate Actions and Results
This is evolved from the 10 Step DQ Process as found in Executing Data Quality Projects by Danette McGilvray
The Catalog - Your Data Governance Home
Develop
Improvement
Plans (SIPOC)
Build Data
Quality Rules
Curate Data
Objects &
Document Risks
Design & Build
Improvements
Check & Repeat
Correct Current
Data Errors
Identify
Governed Data
Fields
Identify Fields
that should
have Data
Quality Focus
Assess Data
Quality Rule
Specifics
Assess Business
Rules (FMEA)
Implement
Business
Process
Improvements

#RWDG @RSeiner
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Introduction
Real-World Data Governance – Monthly Webinar Series
August 18, 2022: The Impact of Data Governance on Data Literacy
Third Thursday each Month @ 2pm EST – Register at TDAN.com, KIKconsulting.com, DATAVERSITY.net
Upcoming Events
DAMA Germany – Virtual – September 2022
Information Governance World 2022 – Virtual – September 2022
DATAVERSITY – Data Governance & Information Quality East – December 2022
Non-Invasive Data Governance Book
Available Now: ISBN 9781935504856 / Technics Publications / Amazon.com
Non-Invasive Data Governance / Metadata Governance Online Learning Plans
Latest: Business Glossaries, Data Dictionaries and Data Catalogs
DATAVERSITY Training Center – https://training.dataversity.net
The Data Administration Newsletter (TDAN.com)
Twice Monthly: Data Articles, Columns, Blogs and Features
KIK Consulting & Educational Services
Updated Site: KIKConsulting.com (“Knowledge is King”)
Home of Non-Invasive Data Governance™
Carnegie Mellon University (CMU)
Adjunct Faculty: Heinz College Post-Graduate CDataO, DDL, MISM Programs

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• In this webinar, I will talk about …
– Successful Data Governance Relies on Value from Tools
– What It Means to Govern Your Data Catalog, Business Glossary, and Data Dictionary
– Why Governing the Metadata in These Tools is Important
– The Roles Necessary to Govern These Tools
– Governance Resulting from Metadata in Catalogs, Glossaries, and Dictionaries
Abstract

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• Data Governance – The execution and enforcement of authority over data.
• Data Stewardship – Formal accountability for data.
• Data Steward – A person held formally accountable for their relationship to the data.
• Metadata Governance – The execution and enforcement of authority over metadata.
• Metadata – Data, stored in IT Tools, that improves the business and technical value of data.
• Metadata Steward – A person held formally accountable for their relationship to the metadata.
• The metadata will not govern itself.
Definitions

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• Business Glossary – A Business Glossary differs from a Data Dictionary in that its focal point, Data
Governance, goes beyond a Data Warehouse or database. A Business Glossary is a means of
sharing internal vocabulary within an organization. Dataversity
– Initially created separate; not linked to the data of the organization.
– Later linked to the data so people can find data through business language.
– Used to develop Common Business Language.
– Requires Businesspeople to define, validate and approve the vocabulary of the Business.
Definitions

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• Data Dictionary - A list of pieces of data (elements) that are included within a specific data
resource like an application, data warehouse or a data lake; or that includes multiple data and
information resources. For each element, the list includes the technical and business attributes
(characteristics) selected by the organization to add value to the data and information users.
– A move towards Enterprise Data Dictionaries. Will it catch on or is it better when data
resource-specific?
– Stored in many resources – Documents, Spreadsheets, SharePoint, … others available at time
of development.
– Data Resource-Specific includes all the data elements of that resource.
– Critical Data Element-Specific includes data regarded as strategic or cross-functional by
commonality.
Definitions

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• Data Catalog – A database that includes an inventory of data, data resources, and the people or
person(s) that are accountable for defining, producing and using the data. Detail of the data
elements can be included with information about where the data can be found and the people
that are accountable for the data without duplicating the information included in the data
dictionary.
– Lack of common definition across organizations and vendors.
– Necessitates specific requirements that are being addressed.
– Focus on inventory of data resources and the people that are accountable for definition,
production and use.
– Been compared to a metadata repository but they are different (?)
Definitions

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• Three Tiers of Metadata
– Data Domains
– Business Glossary
– Data Dictionary
– Data Catalog
Definitions
Data
w/in
Resource
Data
w/in
Resource
Data Domains
Business Glossary
Data Dictionary
Data Catalog
Subject Areas
Data Topics
Business Areas
Semantic Metadata
Business Vocabulary
Common Terminology
Business Language
Business Metadata
Definition of Standard Data
Element and Associated
Context Specific Attributes
Technical Metadata
Inventory and Details of Data
in Specific Data Resource
ETS SEMANTIC FRAMEWORK
DATA ONTOLOGY DETAIL
Data Dictionary
Data Catalog
Business Metadata
Definition and attributes of Data
Element in a Specific Resource
Technical Metadata
Details of Data Element in
Specific Data Resource
Data Catalog
Technical Metadata
Details of Data Element in
Specific Data Resource
Data Dictionary
Logical
Alias
Physical
Alias
Where Data is
in Specific
Resources
ETS Semantic Framework Definitions
Data Domains – Groupings of data pertaining to a subject, topic or entity.
Business Glossary – Pieces of data that pertain to a specific Data Domain.
Data Standards – Guideline and specification for the data pieces that are included in the Glossary.
Data Dictionary – Use of the piece of data within a specific Data Resources.
Data Inventory – Register of available Data Resources.
Data Catalog – Details of Data Resources and data available in the Data Resources.
Data Resource – Information system, database or data store.
Attributes – Characteristics of the standards, systems and data within the systems.
Alias – Represented by a different name.
Topic
consists
of
terms.
Data
associated
with
terms
Data
located
in
resources
Business Metadata
Definition and attributes of Data
Element in a Specific Resource
Where Data is
in a Specific
Resources
Many
One
Relationships
Framework developed by KIK Consulting for use at ETS Last updated – August 04, 2020
Where Topic is in Specific Resources
Where Data is in Specific Resources

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• Successful Data Governance
– Supported, sponsored and understood.
– Somebody has responsibility for the program.
– Incrementally deployed.
– Authority executed and enforced.
– Accountability formalized.
– Built into everyday activities.
Successful Data Governance Relies on Value from Tools
What is Success?

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• Value from Tools
– Tools are acquired, leveraged, and/or developed.
– People understand and use the tools.
– Use of the tools is built into commonplace activities.
– They automate the metadata ingestion process.
– Education and Training are normal curriculum.

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• Relies On or is Enabled By
– Relies On – Can you implement effective Data Governance without these tools?
– Enabled By – Can you articulate the impact these tools have on Data Governance?
– Or maybe it is both … Relies on being enabled by the tool.
– These Tools are Connecting Points for Data Stewards.
– Value Driven from Tools is a Rallying Point for Data Stewards.
– These Tools Can Become the Backbone of Successful Data Governance.

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• Purchased Tools
– Purchasing a Business Glossary Tool.
– Purchasing a Data Dictionary Tool.
– Purchasing a Data Catalog Tool.
– Are you going to Purchase a Business Glossary or a Data Dictionary?
– Or are you going to build a DIY Glossary and Dictionary?
– Are the Business Glossary and Data Dictionary Part of the Data Catalog?

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• Internally Developed Tools & Templates
– Least expensive tools.
– Created for a specific function.
– Demonstrate just-in-time availability.
– Scalability may be an issue.
– Lack of interoperability.
– Precursor to acquiring tools.

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• Metadata Governance & Stewardship
– Authority is Executed and Enforced – Metadata is Governed
– Accountability is Formalized – Metadata is Stewarded
– The “right” people are collecting the “right” metadata in the “right” way …
– Metadata is Injected, Inspected, Detected, Infected, Neglected and Selected
– Purposeful Effort to Govern and Steward Metadata
What It Means to Govern Your Data Catalog, Business Glossary, and Data Dictionary

#RWDG @RSeiner
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• Governance & Stewardship of the Three
– Authority Over the Tools is Executed and Enforced – Tools are Governed
– Accountability for Metadata is Formalized – Metadata in Tools is Stewarded
– The “right” people are collecting the “right” metadata in the “right” way …
– Metadata is Injected, Inspected, Detected, Infected, Neglected and Selected
– Purposeful Effort to Govern and Steward the Tools

#RWDG @RSeiner
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• Formal Accountability for Metadata
– Accountability for Defining the Metadata That Will Be Collected
– Accountability for Producing the Metadata That Will Be Used
– Accountability for Using Metadata to Assist in Daily Functions

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• Tools Result in Data Governance
– A Tool Will Add Limited Value If the Tool Itself and the Metadata Within Are Not Governed!
– Insert “Data Warehouse”, “Process to Deliver the Data Resource”, and “Data Within”
– An Area of Data Requiring Discipline
– The Data Will Not Govern Itself
– The Metadata Will Not Govern Itself

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• Metadata Must Be Defined, Produced, and Used
– Define the Metadata
• Define Which Metadata Will Be Managed
• Define Where the Metadata Will Be Managed
• Define Who Will Produce and Use the Metadata
• Define How the Metadata Will Be Produced and Used
– Produce the Metadata
– Use the Metadata
Why Governing the Metadata in These Tools is Important

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• Metadata is Data That Will Be Relied On
– Relied on to Locate Data
– Relied on to Protect Data
– Relied on to Improve Confidence in Data
– Relied on to Improve Quality of Data
– Relied on to Improve Analyze, Report on, Make Decisions With Data

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• The Data Will Not Govern Itself
• The Metadata Will Not Govern Itself
• You have heard me say these statements many times.
• Requires a Purposeful, Resolute, Determined, Staunch, Unyielding, Stubborn, Unbendable,
Steadfast, Tenacious, Persevering effort.
“How many data stewards are we going to need and how long will we need them for?”

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• Operating Model
The Roles Necessary to Govern These Tools
Senior Leadership
Strategic Council
Subject Matter Stewards
Data Stewards
Administrator
Partners
Teams

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• Metadata Administrator
– The Metadata Catalog and Program Will Not Govern Itself.
– Person(s) That Governs Tool Requirements and Selection
– Person(s) Engaged in Tool Installation
– Person(s) That Configures the Tool
– Person(s) That Education, Train, and Communicate

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• Metadata Analysts
– People That Act in Role of Metadata Liaison
– People That Know the Tools
– People That Know the Business
– Business / Technical Analysts
– Person That Carries the Metadata Torch Into the Business Units

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• Metadata Stewards
– People That Define Metadata
– People That Produce Metadata
– People That Use Metadata
– Could Be Anybody in the Organization
– People That Work With Data.

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• Metadata Advocates
– People That Know the Value of Metadata
– People That Will Talk About the Value of Metadata
– People That Value Metadata in Their Job
– People That are Willing to Define, Produce, and Use Metadata
– Metadata Stewards and Evangelists

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• Information Technology
– People to Provide the Technical Architect Solution – Cloud, Security, Access, …
– People to Install and Maintain the Tools, Provide Updates, …
– People to Support the Technology Including Backup and Recovery
– People to Advocate for the Use of the Tools
Result of search on IT cartoon images.

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• Governed Metadata
– Metadata That is Formally Defined
– Metadata That is Formally Produced
– Metadata That is Formally Used
– Provides Discipline That is Useful in Data Governance
– Glossaries, Dictionaries, and Catalogs Result in Data Governance
– Data Governance Results in Glossaries, Dictionaries and Catalogs
Governance Expected from Metadata in Catalogs, Glossaries, and Dictionaries

#RWDG @RSeiner
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• Governed Data Catalog
– A Data Catalog That is Formally Defined
– A Data Catalog That is Formally Produced
– A Data Catalog That is Formally Used

#RWDG @RSeiner
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• Governed Business Glossary
– A Business Glossary That is Formally Defined
– A Business Glossary That is Formally Produced
– A Business Glossary That is Formally Used

#RWDG @RSeiner
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• Governed Data Dictionary
– A Data Dictionary That is Formally Defined
– A Data Dictionary That is Formally Produced
– A Data Dictionary That is Formally Used

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• The Metadata Will Not Govern Itself
– I know I have said this many times.
– Good things are worth repeating.
– Sometimes it takes hearing something several times before it KIKs in.
– Please let me know of a better way if you know of one.
– Oh, and By the Way …
» The Data Will Not Govern Itself Either!

#RWDG @RSeiner
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• In the webinar, I shared …
– Successful Data Governance Relies on Value from Tools
– What It Means to Govern Your Data Catalog, Business Glossary, and Data Dictionary
– Why Governing the Metadata in These Tools is Important
– The Roles Necessary to Govern These Tools
– Governance Expected from Metadata in Catalogs, Glossaries, and Dictionaries
– Dare I ask the Question …Does a BG, DD, and DC Result in DG? Or is it the other way around?
Summary

#RWDG @RSeiner
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Q & A - Contact Information
• Robert S. Seiner
KIK Consulting & Educational Services – KIKconsulting.com
The Data Administration Newsletter – TDAN.com
rseiner@tdan.com @RSeiner

Glossaries, Dictionaries, and Catalogs Result in Data Governance

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