Data Governance Roles & Responsibilities
Clearly defining the authority and responsibilities of data governance-related roles, establishing a clear accountability mechanism
Role Overview
The data governance framework includes six main roles, forming a three-level governance structure from strategy to execution. Each role has clearly defined responsibilities and authority to ensure data is appropriately managed and protected.
DTSC
Digital Transformation Steering Committee, responsible for strategic oversight and policy approval.
DGDW
Data Governance Working Group, responsible for framework development and oversight execution.
Data Trustees
Department heads with executive and operational responsibility for data domains.
Data Stewards
Management personnel with operational responsibility for one or more categories of institutional data.
Data Custodians
Staff responsible for data capture, maintenance, and storage.
Data Guardians
Technical experts responsible for monitoring and protecting university data.
Role Hierarchy Structure
Role Description
DTSC is a high-level governance committee responsible for providing strategic oversight and guidance for the university's digital transformation initiatives. DTSC is responsible for approving data governance policies and related policy-making matters.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide strategic oversight and guidance for digital transformation initiatives
- Approve data governance policies and related matters
- Ensure data governance aligns with the university's overall strategy
- Review and approve major data governance investments and plans
- Provide high-level support and resource allocation for data governance
Role Description
Operating under DTSC, the working group within DGDW serves as a working-level interdisciplinary team overseeing institutional data governance. Its membership and operational details are defined in the DTSC Workstream4 DGDW Terms of Reference.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and maintain an integrated institutional data platform aligned with university strategic plans
- Recommend data governance frameworks, policies, and lifecycle management standards for DTSC approval
- Establish decision structures, approval workflows, and communication plans for data governance matters
- Facilitate secure data collaboration with external partners and internal stakeholders, eliminating duplication and maximizing data quality
- Advise DTSC on risks related to data systems, analytical practices, and compliance gaps
- Monitor implementation and compliance of data governance policies
- Coordinate cross-departmental data governance activities and initiatives
Role Description
Data Trustees are typically executive roles, such as department heads and directors, who have executive and operational responsibility for data domains. They are appointed by the President.
Data Trustees for restricted-level data should hold vice-president level positions, while the President may appoint other Data Trustees as needed.
When there is any ambiguity about the Data Trustee role, the President should appoint the relevant personnel.
Key Responsibilities
- Ensure data strategy aligns with other university information management strategies and policies
- Ensure data assets are coordinated at the highest university level to support informed decision-making and operational planning
- Oversee implementation and compliance of this policy
- Oversee cross-departmental business process roles, departments, or projects within their respective domains
- Review and provide recommendations on escalated cases from Data Stewards
- Approve data classification and access controls within their responsible domains
- Ensure data quality standards are implemented and maintained within their domains
Data Governance Role Resources
Working Group Terms of Reference
Detailed membership and operational requirements for DGDW
Meeting Agendas & Documents
Data governance meeting minutes and related documents
Data Inventory
Detailed inventory of university data assets
Data Governance Role Directory
Contact information for all data governance roles
Approval Forms
Approval forms for data access and usage
Training Materials
Training resources for data governance roles