<body><div>Let’s dive into a conversation that goes beyond the headlines and into the heart of data governance, with a little inspiration from the unremitting political world that defines the US at this moment. Van Jones’ pointed observation on CNN following a town hall last evening, captured a fundamental truth about the double standards in the political landscape. He argued that, while one candidate seems often to operate in a “lawless” (uncontrollable) environment (I will not say who this is), the other candidate must be “flawless” to compete (again not naming names to avoid getting too political).This got me thinking – this same concept applies to how organizations handle data governance. There are those that stumble along, haphazardly putting out fires, and then there are those who operate with grace, precision, and yes – flawlessness.In data governance, just like in politics, the approach you take can make or break your reputation, your efficiency, and ultimately your success. Let’s explore why being flawless (the Non-Invasive Data Governance way) beats being lawless (the command-and-control or traditional approaches) every time.<h2>The Lawless Approach</h2>We all know the type – whether in politics or in the boardroom. The lawless approach to governance involves a lot of improvisation, sweeping issues under the rug until they can no longer be ignored, and creating panic-driven solutions to problems that have been festering for far too long. This can be both the “command and control (“thou shall”) approach or the “traditional” (“build it and they will come”) approach that organizations often find themselves stuck in. It sounds bold, right? Set up some lofty policies and hope everyone falls in line. But much like certain political figures, this approach gets by with inconsistencies, last-minute scrambles, and reactive decisions.In the world of data governance, the lawless approach is all about panic fixes. Picture it: data policies are created in silos, data stewards are assigned without much thought to the impact, and the focus is on maintaining compliance rather than actually improving the quality and accessibility of data. Everything’s fine until it isn’t – and when things go wrong, the response is hasty, expensive, and riddled with finger-pointing. It’s governance by chaos, and it works about as well as a political campaign built on half-truths and empty promises.The worst part? The damage left behind by this approach. When issues are fixed on the fly, the solutions are often temporary, which means the same problems will resurface. Think of it like a politician who keeps making wild promises but fails to follow through – eventually, the cracks begin to show, and trust erodes.<h2>The Flawless Approach</h2>On the flip side, we have the Non-Invasive Data Governance (NIDG) approach. This is the political equivalent of one of the candidates needing to be flawless to be taken seriously. In NIDG, the emphasis is on seamlessly integrating governance into everyday operations. There are no dramatic overhauls or panic-driven decisions – just smooth, consistent management of data assets that operates like a well-oiled machine.NIDG works because it doesn’t rely on top-down mandates. It focuses on empowering the people who are already interacting with data to become natural stewards of that data. Everyone plays their role, much like a flawlessly run campaign where every staffer knows their job, from speechwriters to policy advisors. The result? A data governance framework that isn’t disruptive, doesn’t create resentment, and works without the chaos.Much like this candidate need to project flawlessness in every public appearance, NIDG demands precision, consistency, and forethought. It’s about doing things right the first time, instead of cobbling together last-minute solutions. And just as flawless execution in politics earns respect, flawless execution in data governance earns trust – both internally within the organization and externally with clients and partners.<h2>Why Flawlessness is the Key to Long-Term Success</h2>The ultimate takeaway here is that whether you’re running a political campaign or managing a data governance program, lawlessness might get you through a couple of short-term scrapes, but it’s no way to build long-term success. Organizations, like politicians, are held to different standards – some may skate by on charm and bravado, but others are expected to be practically perfect to stay in the race. The same is true for data governance: some companies muddle through with last-minute fixes and inconsistent policies, but those who prioritize a flawless approach (like NIDG) will build a framework that stands the test of time.By embedding governance into everyday operations, the NIDG approach ensures that data is always available, always reliable, and always governed – without the need for dramatic overhauls or emergency solutions. It’s flawless because it doesn’t demand perfection from a select few, but rather builds a culture of shared responsibility. Just as a well-run campaign relies on every team member playing their part, NIDG relies on everyone in the organization to become a data steward.The result? A data governance framework that not only avoids chaos but actively enhances the organization’s ability to use data as a strategic asset. And in a world where data is as valuable as gold, isn’t that the kind of flawlessness we should all be striving for?In conclusion, whether you’re vying for the presidency or managing a data governance program, the choice is clear: lawlessness might make headlines, but flawlessness wins the race. Embrace the Non-Invasive Data Governance approach and leave the chaos to the politicians.Non-Invasive Data Governance™ is a trademark of Robert S. Seiner / KIK Consulting &amp; Educational ServicesExpert in Data ManagementRobert S. (Bob) Seiner is well recognized and respected in the information asset management industry (covering data, information, content, and knowledge management) for his tremendous commitment to collecting, recording, and sharing information about successful practices. Mr. Seiner is the President and Principal Consultant of KIK Consulting &amp; Educational Services, an information management consulting firm that focuses on cost-effective/practical solutions &amp; education in data and meta-data management, data governance and stewardship programs, content, and knowledge management. Mr. Seiner holds an Adjunct Faculty member position at the Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy in their CDataO and Data-Driven Leadership post-graduate certification programs. Mr. Seiner has maintained a focus on knowledge transfer throughout his career, through his popular internet publication The Data Administration Newsletter (TDAN.com), and through years of conference speaking and hosting workshops.</div></body>

Mountain View, CA

NewsBreak

Flawless Beats Being Lawless in Data Governance (and Politics)

Let’s dive into a conversation that goes beyond the headlines and into the heart of data governance, with a little inspiration from the unremitting political world that defines the US at this moment. Van Jones’ pointed observation on CNN following a town hall last evening, captured a fundamental truth about the double standards in the political landscape. He argued that, while one candidate seems often to operate in a “lawless” (uncontrollable) environment (I will not say who this is), the other candidate must be “flawless” to compete (again not naming names to avoid getting too political).