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Apr 3 2024
All in the Data: A Steward in Need Is a Steward in Deed
You’ve probably heard the expression, “A friend in need is a friend indeed.” For this column, I am going to play with that expression to make a point. Instead of a friend, I will refer to friends as data stewards. Instead of indeed (meaning certainly), I am going to insert a space in the word […]


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Author: Robert S. Seiner

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Mar 6 2024
Getting the BELT: Empowering Executive Leadership in Data Governance
The expression “Getting the Belt” has several meanings. This phrase most commonly refers to a form of corporal punishment where a belt is used by an authority figure to spank or hit someone as a punitive measure. This form of discipline is now, thankfully, regarded as inappropriate and harmful. Additional meanings signify winning a championship […]


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Author: Robert S. Seiner

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Feb 7 2024
Stop Complaining About Your Data – And Do Something About It
Organizations are drowning in a sea of data, facing challenges that range from inconsistent quality to inefficient and ineffective management. It’s easy to complain about the state of your data, but a more productive tactic involves taking actionable steps to address these issues. Enter Non-Invasive Data Governance (NIDG) — a methodology that empowers organizations to […]


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Author: Robert S. Seiner

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Jan 3 2024
All in the Data: The Search for Intelligent Life in Your Organization
An invisible, yet universal, force exists that is shaping the very fabric of data-driven decision-making, data practices, and operational data management functionality. This force is “informal governance,” an astral influence orchestrating the celestial bodies of an organization. Acknowledging the existence of this informal governance marks the launch of a profound journey — a quest for […]


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Author: Robert S. Seiner

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Dec 6 2023
Where Data Governance Should Live
Determining the optimal administrative placement for a data governance program, and specifically a Non-Invasive Data Governance program, is a pivotal decision that can significantly influence its success. This critical choice often boils down to three primary areas within an organization: a specific business area, information technology (IT), or a shared services part of the organization. […]


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Author: Robert S. Seiner

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Nov 15 2023
Game-Changing Data Definitions You Cannot Afford to Ignore
In today’s data-driven world, the terms “data governance” and “data stewardship” have become buzzwords, often thrown around without a clear understanding of their significance. However, defining these terms is not about adding complexity, it’s about establishing clarity and accountability and providing a sense of practicality and pragmatism. As I define it, data governance is “the […]


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Author: Robert S. Seiner

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Nov 1 2023
A Halloween Tale That Turns Non-Invasive
Once upon a dark and eerie night, in the heart of the bustling city, there lived a data governance practitioner named Victor. Victor was known for his sharp mind and forward-thinking ideas, but he faced a daunting challenge: convincing his old and set-in-their-ways management that non-invasive data governance was the least scary of alternatives to […]


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Author: Robert S. Seiner

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Oct 4 2023
All in the Data: The TDAN.com Tradition
I have published The Data Administration Newsletter (TDAN.com) for a large portion of my professional life. Actually … a large percentage of my life. It has been an honor and privilege to provide thought-provoking data-focused content to an audience as special as the international data management community. More about the community in a minute. It’s […]


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Author: Robert S. Seiner

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Sep 6 2023
Data Product Success With Non-Invasive Data Governance
The role of data products has become pivotal, driving organizations towards insightful decision-making and competitive advantage. However, ensuring the achievement of these data products demands the strategic integration of Non-Invasive Data Governance (NIDG). This approach fortifies data quality, security, compliance, and collaboration while expertly navigating user queries and concerns. Central to this cooperation is the […]


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Author: Robert S. Seiner

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Aug 16 2023
Legos and Building Non-Invasive Data Governance Brick by Brick
Anyone who knows me well knows that I like to build models with Legos as a diversion from my “data-ly” life. I was never fond of Legos when I was young, but started my Lego excursion when I saw a bright yellow Lego Ford Mustang kit that I had to have. Several years later, I […]


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Author: Robert S. Seiner

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Aug 2 2023
Making the Case for Data Enablement (Rather Than Data Governance)
There is a movement in the business and academic worlds to consider relabeling the name of the long-time data discipline of “Data Governance” to “Data Enablement”. Usually, when someone tells me something like this, my first response is to chuckle and nod my head. It takes a sizable formal movement to change the name of […]


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Author: Robert S. Seiner

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Jun 21 2023
NIDG Perspective: A Trusted Trainer for Data
This column is a stand-in for a new column that will be announced for the 3rd month each quarter starting next cycle. I am pleased to fill in essays like this from time-to-time that provide additional perspective to the Non-Invasive Data Governance approach. In the discipline of data management, adopting the non-invasive approach to data […]


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Author: Robert S. Seiner

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May 17 2023
The Stranger Things of Data Governance
Non-Invasive Data Governance (NIDG), like the popular Netflix series Stranger Things, offers a mysterious and complex reality for organizations to navigate. I am often asked how it is possible to navigate these realities and implement NIDG in the real world. NIDG involves unraveling the intricacies of management, quality, security, and compliance. Just as the characters […]


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Author: Robert S. Seiner

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