(US & Canada) Wendy Gilbert, Director of Data Services at Airlines Reporting Corporation, speaks with Kristopher Moniz, Director of Data and Analytics, Partner at Centric Consulting, in a video interview about her approach to data governance and the strategy for building data products according to business needs.

Gilbert believes that data governance isn't optional but recognizes that the term means different things to different people. Rather than focusing on the label, she prefers to break data governance into components, as it can vary depending on the perspective. Security and privacy are non-negotiable aspects, especially when dealing with customer data. These elements are always given time and attention during product planning sessions to ensure they aren't overlooked.

Beyond security and privacy, there are other components of data governance, such as data cataloging, lineage, and definitions. However, Gilbert suggests that while companies can invest heavily in these areas, they might not always translate into business value. The key is to determine when these efforts are sufficient to meet business needs. Data quality is another aspect that needs to be appropriately scaled to fit the company's objectives.

She recalls a conference where it was mentioned that “no company needs, wants, or is willing to pay for perfect data.” This idea resonates with her because, while high data quality is crucial for certain elements like financial reporting, it's less critical in other areas, such as personalizing movie recommendations. To address this, Gilbert has implemented a tiered approach to data, where different data sets are assigned different levels of importance and governance based on their significance to the business.

When asked about setting business expectations around new technologies, Gilbert emphasizes the importance of having a strong product management team. In successful companies, this team works closely with business users and customers to identify what needs to be built and ensure that it will be utilized.

Gilbert suggests that whether data is treated as an internal or external product, it should be approached with a business mindset. Data platforms like data warehouses and lakes can be seen as products, and the focus should be on solving specific business cases. Ultimately, it's about understanding what the organization is trying to accomplish, with data being a means to achieve that end rather than the priority itself.

CDO Magazine appreciates Wendy Gilbert for sharing her insights with our global community.

Brian Shea

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