Data Steward

Definition

A data steward is an individual responsible for managing and overseeing the organization's data assets to ensure its quality, integrity, and security. This role involves developing data governance policies, maintaining data standards, and acting as a liaison between IT and business units to promote effective data use while ensuring compliance with privacy regulations.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Data stewards play a critical role in ensuring that data remains accurate and trustworthy by establishing protocols for data entry and maintenance.
2. They often collaborate with various departments to enforce compliance with data policies and regulatory requirements related to privacy and security.
3. Data stewards are essential in promoting a culture of data literacy within organizations by educating staff about the importance of data management.
4. In the context of data privacy and security, data stewards help mitigate risks by implementing security measures to protect sensitive information.
5. This role is increasingly important as organizations leverage big data analytics to drive decision-making, requiring consistent and reliable data management practices.

Review Questions

• How does the role of a data steward contribute to maintaining data quality within an organization?
  • The role of a data steward is vital for maintaining data quality as they establish standards and protocols for data entry and management. They ensure that data is accurate, complete, and consistent by regularly monitoring and auditing data sources. By collaborating with different departments, they help enforce best practices that promote high-quality data use across the organization.
• Discuss the relationship between data stewardship and data governance in ensuring compliance with privacy regulations.
  • Data stewardship is closely linked to data governance as it involves implementing the policies and standards set forth by the governance framework. Data stewards ensure that the organization's data practices comply with privacy regulations by monitoring how data is collected, stored, and accessed. They act as the guardians of data integrity, helping to enforce rules that protect sensitive information while supporting the organization’s overall governance strategy.
• Evaluate the impact of effective data stewardship on an organization's ability to leverage big data analytics for strategic decision-making.
  • Effective data stewardship significantly enhances an organization's ability to leverage big data analytics by ensuring that high-quality, trustworthy data is available for analysis. When stewards implement rigorous standards for data management, it reduces errors and inconsistencies that could skew analytical results. This reliability in data allows decision-makers to base their strategies on accurate insights, ultimately leading to better-informed decisions and improved business outcomes.

Related terms

Data Governance: A framework that outlines how data is managed, maintained, and utilized within an organization, including policies, procedures, and standards.

Data Quality: The overall utility and reliability of data for its intended purpose, encompassing accuracy, completeness, consistency, and timeliness.

Data Privacy: The protection of personal or sensitive information from unauthorized access or disclosure, ensuring individuals' rights are respected.