Data Stewardship in Practice

Unlock the full value of your data assets and minimize data risks with a proven approach to stewardship roles, practices, and programs.

Go beyond abstract governance frameworks into the day-to-day actions that make stewardship succeed. From defining the roles of data stewards and owners to building collaborative stewardship organizations, this book shows how to connect policies, people, and processes in ways that improve data quality, security, compliance, and trust. Whether you’re a Chief Data Officer (CDO), a business leader, an aspiring steward, or a practicing steward growing your skills, you’ll find the tools and guidance you need to turn governance theory into practice.

Inside, you’ll explore the five kinds of data stewards (enterprise, domain, business unit, process, and system/project) and discover how their responsibilities intersect with data governors, architects, producers, and consumers. Through proven frameworks, diagnostic guides, and case-based insights, Dave Wells explains how to align stewardship with business strategy, measure stewardship maturity with meaningful KPIs, and cultivate a culture of accountability and data literacy across the enterprise. In addition, the Data Steward’s Field Guide, included as an appendix, provides a ready-to-use toolkit packed with facilitation techniques, quick diagnostic guides, and skill references that stewards can apply directly to real-world challenges.

This practical reference is written for multiple audiences: executives seeking sponsorship roadmaps, data governance councils clarifying accountability, stewards solving everyday quality issues, and supporting roles like architects and analysts striving for better metadata management and integration. Each chapter stands on its own, so readers can quickly apply targeted solutions to the data challenges that they face, ranging from compliance with regulations to data ethics, privacy, and lifecycle management.

Far more than a theoretical guide, Data Stewardship in Practice is a working companion for anyone responsible for ensuring data is accurate, accessible, secure, and ethically used. With its blend of strategic vision and operational detail, this book belongs on the desk of every data professional who wants to strengthen governance, reduce risk, and unlock the business value of data.