Stakeholder Relations

Unified Data Governance: Aligning Stakeholder Expectations

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Key Words: Stakeholder Communication, Collaboration, Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe), Program Management, Data Governance

Situation:

At a leading financial institution, a major initiative was launched to transition from an existing tag management system to a new platform capable of unifying data governance across the organization. Despite the functionality of existing data usage methods within individual Lines of Business (LOBs), there was a lack of consistency across the company, presenting significant challenges in aligning diverse needs and expectations.

Opportunity:

This complexity offered an opportunity to establish a unified approach to data governance, paving the way for more efficient operations and informed decision-making. The task involved overcoming resistance from LOBs and securing support from senior leadership.

Obstacles:

The primary challenge of this initiative was effectively managing stakeholder engagement across various business lines. Each group had distinct expectations and perceptions of the transition, creating potential resistance. The key to overcoming these obstacles was clear and persuasive communication of the new system's benefits and strategic value, which was essential for securing alignment and buy-in from all stakeholders.

Activities:

Adopting the principles of the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe), a structured approach was employed to engage and align stakeholders through collaborative decision-making. Stakeholders were actively included in Program Increment (PI) planning, a critical process that facilitated their direct involvement in setting objectives and timelines, ensuring their needs and expectations were met. Regular stakeholder meetings, system demos, and strategic roadshows were organized to keep all parties informed and actively involved in shaping the transition. Objectives were linked to key organizational goals during planning to ensure strategic alignment, and regular demonstrations showcased the ongoing progress and the collective contributions to the value of the transition.

Results & Impact:

The strategic application of SAFe principles, alongside consistent communication and collaborative decision-making, effectively managed diverse stakeholder expectations throughout the initiative. The establishment of a unified data governance system resulted in a more cohesive data management process, meeting the needs of all involved Lines of Business (LOBs). This transition fulfilled the immediate requirements and strategically positioned the organization for enhanced and more effective data utilization across the enterprise.