CHAPTER 4: What Is Data Governance? Check Access

The definition of data governance is the sum total/the arrangements to ensure that data, irrespective of the format in which it is generated, is recorded, processed, retained and used to ensure a complete, consistent and accurate record throughout the data lifecycle. However, this definition tells a reader very little, as how can the “arrangements or sum total of arrangements” be interpreted adequately? Data governance provides the overall framework to ensure data integrity and encompasses all who work in an organisation from the boardroom to the laboratory bench. This chapter explores the various aspects of data governance to provide a full picture of what is required for an organisation and a regulated laboratory. This chapter is an overview before detailed discussions of individual topics in the following chapters, e.g. a model for data integrity in Chapter 5, the roles and responsibilities for data governance in Chapter 6, policies procedures and training for data integrity in Chapter 7, establishing and maintaining an open culture in Chapter 8, an analytical data life cycle in Chapter 9 and quality metrics in Chapter 19.