Data Governance Framework

U-M's data governance framework features a streamlined data stewardship structure that enables data governance processes and technology, ensures data quality, and aligns with institutional policy.

Framework

Executive Sponsors: Provost and VPIT-CIO

Advising

Advisory Committee

Direction Setting

Steering Committee

Community of Practice

Working Groups

Daily Operations

Executive Data Stewards

Data Stewards

Data Liaisons

Data Custodians

Role Definitions

Executive Sponsors

The sponsors of the university's Data Governance program are the Provost and the VP for Information Technology and Chief Information Officer.

Advisory Committee (DGAC)

A top-level advisory body comprised faculty, data stewards, and university leaders. The committee provides recommendations to Executive Data Stewards and Sponsors, and engages with Data Stewards to help resolve conflicts. See more about the DGAC.

Steering Committee

The Steering Committee guides all aspects of the data governance program. It is comprised of delegates from both sponsors and the chair and vice-chair of the Data Governance Advisory Committee (DGAC).

Community of Practice

A group of data stewards and custodians that meets regularly to provide ongoing support for data governance activities.

Working Groups

Appointed by the Steering Committee, these temporary groups are tasked with the execution of data governance projects.

Executive Data Steward

A high-ranking official with ultimate authority over a specific area of data. The data stewards for an area will typically belong to the executive data steward's organization.

Data Steward

The person who governs and stewards the data. They are granted authority by the executive data steward and typically belong to that organization.

Data Area Liaison

An optional role appointed by an Executive Data Steward or Data Stewards to support the enablement and monitoring of data governance processes in the data area.

Data Custodian*

The person or area that creates and maintains data. This may be an IT group, unit/department, or researcher/faculty member.

* Data Custodians are not listed on the Data Areas and Stewards website. However, it is important that they are identified and engaged as needed by Data Stewards.