Data Governance Flashcards

Interview Q&A (25 cards)

1
Q

What is data governance?

A

A framework of policies, processes, and standards that ensures data is accurate, secure, and available for business use.

Data governance is essential for maintaining data integrity and compliance.

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2
Q

Why is data governance important?

A
  • Ensures data quality
  • Ensures compliance
  • Ensures security
  • Promotes proper usage across the organization

Effective data governance helps organizations manage their data assets responsibly.

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3
Q

What are the main goals of data governance?

A
  • Ensure data accuracy and quality
  • Protect sensitive data
  • Ensure compliance with regulations (like GDPR, HIPAA)
  • Promote consistent data usage across the organization

These goals help organizations manage their data effectively.

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4
Q

What are the key components of data governance?

A
  • Data policies and standards
  • Data stewardship
  • Data quality management
  • Metadata management
  • Compliance and auditing

These components work together to create a robust data governance framework.

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5
Q

What is a data steward?

A

A person responsible for managing and maintaining data quality and compliance within a business domain.

Data stewards play a crucial role in ensuring data governance is effective.

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6
Q

What is data quality in data governance?

A

Refers to accuracy, completeness, consistency, timeliness, and validity of data.

High data quality is essential for effective decision-making.

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7
Q

How do you measure data quality?

A
  • Accuracy (correct values)
  • Completeness (no missing data)
  • Consistency (uniform data across systems)
  • Timeliness (updated and current)

These metrics help assess the overall quality of data.

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8
Q

What is master data governance (MDG)?

A

Manages critical business entities like customers, suppliers, products to ensure a single source of truth.

MDG is vital for maintaining consistent and accurate master data.

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9
Q

Difference between data governance and data management?

A
  • Data governance: Policies and standards
  • Data management: Day-to-day operations of collecting, storing, and maintaining data

Understanding this distinction is key for effective data strategy.

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10
Q

What is metadata management?

A

Managing data about data, such as its origin, format, and usage rules.

Metadata management is crucial for understanding and utilizing data effectively.

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11
Q

How does data governance improve data security?

A

By defining who can access data, how it’s used, and ensuring encryption and compliance.

Strong data governance frameworks enhance overall data security.

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12
Q

What is GDPR and its relevance to data governance?

A

GDPR is a European regulation protecting personal data.

Data governance ensures compliance with GDPR by controlling access and usage of personal data.

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13
Q

What are data access controls?

A

Policies defining who can view or modify data.

Access controls are essential for maintaining data security.

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14
Q

What is data lineage?

A

Tracks where data comes from, how it is transformed, and where it is used.

Understanding data lineage is important for data governance and compliance.

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15
Q

How do you ensure compliance in data governance?

A
  • Through audits
  • Policies
  • Automated monitoring
  • Reporting

Compliance is a critical aspect of effective data governance.

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16
Q

What is a data governance policy?

A

A formal document defining how data is created, stored, shared, and protected.

Policies guide the implementation of data governance.

17
Q

Who are the key roles in data governance?

A
  • Data Owner: Responsible for data accuracy
  • Data Steward: Maintains quality
  • Data Custodian: Manages technical aspects
  • Data Governance Council: Approves policies

These roles ensure effective data governance implementation.

18
Q

What is data standardization?

A

Applying uniform formats and definitions across data sets.

Standardization helps in maintaining data consistency.

19
Q

What is data classification?

A

Categorizing data based on sensitivity or importance (e.g., public, confidential, restricted).

Data classification is crucial for data protection and compliance.

20
Q

What is the difference between a data owner and data steward?

A
  • Data Owner: Defines policies and approves usage
  • Data Steward: Implements policies and ensures data quality

Both roles are essential for effective data governance.

21
Q

How would you implement data governance in an organization?

A
  • Define goals and policies
  • Assign roles (owners, stewards, custodians)
  • Implement data quality and metadata management
  • Monitor compliance
  • Continuously improve

A structured approach is necessary for successful implementation.

22
Q

How would you handle poor data quality in a critical dataset?

A
  • Identify issues (duplicates, missing, inconsistent data)
  • Cleanse and standardize data
  • Implement validation rules and monitoring

Addressing data quality issues is vital for maintaining data integrity.

23
Q

How does data governance support analytics?

A

By ensuring accurate, reliable, and consistent data, analytics can provide meaningful insights.

Good data governance is foundational for effective analytics.

24
Q

Give an example of a data governance tool.

A
  • Collibra: Data governance and cataloging
  • Informatica Axon: Data governance framework
  • SAP MDG: Master data governance

These tools help organizations implement data governance effectively.

25
How would you ensure compliance with new **data regulations**?
* Update policies * Assign responsible roles * Monitor data handling * Train employees and audit systems ## Footnote Proactive measures are essential for compliance.