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Non-Invasive Data Governance: The Path of Least Resistance and Greatest Success
Data-governance programs focus on authority and accountability for the management of data as a valued organizational asset. Data Governance should not be about command-and-control, yet at times could become invasive or threatening to the work, people and culture of an organization. Non-Invasive Data Governance™ focuses on formalizing existing accountability for the management of data and improving formal communications, protection, and quality efforts through effective stewarding of data resources. Non-Invasive Data Governance will provide you with a complete set of tools to help you deliver a successful data governance program. Learn Steward responsibilities can be identified and recognized, formalized, and engaged according to their existing responsibility rather than being assigned or handed to people as more work. Governance of information can be applied to existing policies, standard operating procedures, practices, and methodologies, rather than being introduced or emphasized as new processes or methods. Governance of information can support all data integration, risk management, business intelligence and master data management activities rather than imposing inconsistent rigor to these initiatives. A practical and non-threatening approach can be applied to governing information and promoting stewardship of data as a cross-organization asset. Best practices and key concepts of this non-threatening approach can be communicated effectively to leverage strengths and address opportunities to improve.
148 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 20, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
January 15, 2018
This book is like a primer on the topic of Data Governance (DG). It is not as detailed and heavy as Data Governance: How to Design, Deploy and Sustain an Effective Data Governance Program, but it quickly introduces the concepts of Data Governance, and how it relates to the various management functions in companies.
The author provides solid examples of conveying the value of Data Governance to the higher management, and showing how DG ties to the business value at the enterprise level. This is important at the beginning of a DG program, and also for sustaining it, introducing it at lower levels, etc. because unless enough care is taken, there's a high risk of resistance from various departments and people (hence the author's focus of being non-invasive from the start).
I liked the The Data Governance Test in which various dimensions and aspects of DG program are clearly laid out in the form of testing where your company is in this journey, such as:
Risk Management
Data Compliance & Regulatory Control
Information Security & Data Classification
Metadata Management
Data Quality Management
Business Intelligence and Data Integration
Master Data Management
Data Stewardship
Another artifact I found useful as a Data Officer is the Common Data Matrix, a two-dimensional grid in the form of a spreadsheet that cross-references data of an organization with the individuals who define, produce, and use data. This spreadsheet also registers the DSMEs (Data Subject Matter Experts), and SSMEs (System Subject Matter Experts), because these are the people that can become involved if and when necessary in governance activities pertaining to the data they know.
The book also does a good job of identifying strategic, executive, tactical, and operational layers, showing how they are connected, and what the responsibilities of people are in each of these layers. I think this knowledge is important for establishing successful DG, because you should be very conscious about what you can expect from which roles in a company.
Apart from these positive points, the book does not add a lot of detail in terms of concretely running a DG program. As I wrote in the beginning, it is a quick introductory text; it's Index is only two pages, and it doesn't have References or Further Reading section at the end. You'll definitely need to consult other sources in your DG journey.
The author provides solid examples of conveying the value of Data Governance to the higher management, and showing how DG ties to the business value at the enterprise level. This is important at the beginning of a DG program, and also for sustaining it, introducing it at lower levels, etc. because unless enough care is taken, there's a high risk of resistance from various departments and people (hence the author's focus of being non-invasive from the start).
I liked the The Data Governance Test in which various dimensions and aspects of DG program are clearly laid out in the form of testing where your company is in this journey, such as:
Risk Management
Data Compliance & Regulatory Control
Information Security & Data Classification
Metadata Management
Data Quality Management
Business Intelligence and Data Integration
Master Data Management
Data Stewardship
Another artifact I found useful as a Data Officer is the Common Data Matrix, a two-dimensional grid in the form of a spreadsheet that cross-references data of an organization with the individuals who define, produce, and use data. This spreadsheet also registers the DSMEs (Data Subject Matter Experts), and SSMEs (System Subject Matter Experts), because these are the people that can become involved if and when necessary in governance activities pertaining to the data they know.
The book also does a good job of identifying strategic, executive, tactical, and operational layers, showing how they are connected, and what the responsibilities of people are in each of these layers. I think this knowledge is important for establishing successful DG, because you should be very conscious about what you can expect from which roles in a company.
Apart from these positive points, the book does not add a lot of detail in terms of concretely running a DG program. As I wrote in the beginning, it is a quick introductory text; it's Index is only two pages, and it doesn't have References or Further Reading section at the end. You'll definitely need to consult other sources in your DG journey.
February 17, 2025
Not the cheapest short kindle book I’ve bought 🙃
It was a gentle introduction to Data Governance which was what I wanted. Particularly liked the noninvasive emphasis of formalizing processes that already exist and minimizing added work. Easy to remember and a significant idea.
Few tools at the end and a walkthrough of a pyramid of suggested roles.
Examples weren’t that informative, kind of felt like this could’ve just been a few web articles… but net win.
It was a gentle introduction to Data Governance which was what I wanted. Particularly liked the noninvasive emphasis of formalizing processes that already exist and minimizing added work. Easy to remember and a significant idea.
Few tools at the end and a walkthrough of a pyramid of suggested roles.
Examples weren’t that informative, kind of felt like this could’ve just been a few web articles… but net win.
December 11, 2019
I wish I had read this before struggling through DAMA-DMBOK, it is a much more gentle introduction into a still fairly dry subject area. I like the key concept of making a DG program less daunting by showing it is mostly about formalizing what people are already doing in their organization.
What I liked less is the "toolset" presented at the end of the book, it seems Seiner is deliberately oversimplifying to get across his point. As others have noted, references to other literature or sources are sparse at best.
What I liked less is the "toolset" presented at the end of the book, it seems Seiner is deliberately oversimplifying to get across his point. As others have noted, references to other literature or sources are sparse at best.
January 28, 2022
Pros:
- concept (non-invasive) makes sense and should increase chance of successful implementation
- contains some useful models & templates, especially in the latter 1/2 of the book
Cons:
- the writing is a cross between "student going for word count" & "stream of consciousness blogger"
- the cited "case studies" are vague to the point of uselessness
- lots of wasted time with unnecessary preamble, repetition, and summaries
- concept (non-invasive) makes sense and should increase chance of successful implementation
- contains some useful models & templates, especially in the latter 1/2 of the book
Cons:
- the writing is a cross between "student going for word count" & "stream of consciousness blogger"
- the cited "case studies" are vague to the point of uselessness
- lots of wasted time with unnecessary preamble, repetition, and summaries
August 26, 2018
This is my favourite book about datamanagement. It the most practical I encountered and respectful to all people involved in the process and their practices as well.
The competition is not great: most books about datamanagement are boring, have a dreadful set of fonts and layout and a lack of practical applicability.
The competition is not great: most books about datamanagement are boring, have a dreadful set of fonts and layout and a lack of practical applicability.
January 12, 2025
Good Starting Point
This book is a perfect starting point for anyone who needs to implement data governance. It lacks specifics on how to implement; it’s mostly focused on best practices the author has accumulated over their career. I would recommend this to someone who needs to organize their thoughts but would search for industry best practices and artifacts when implementing
This book is a perfect starting point for anyone who needs to implement data governance. It lacks specifics on how to implement; it’s mostly focused on best practices the author has accumulated over their career. I would recommend this to someone who needs to organize their thoughts but would search for industry best practices and artifacts when implementing
May 9, 2017
I liked the approach of non-invasive Data Governance. Tips and tools shared in this book are beneficial if you work in an organization where having a formal Data Governance structure can be challenging.
October 30, 2019
So so boring. And dry. Dry boring. But super informative, which is why it has 2 instead of 1 stars. If it's really hard to read, it doesn't really matter if it's got good content cause you may not read it.
February 6, 2026
this text lacks a respect for the readers time, attention, and intellect. im unconvinced of the validity of data governance as a field of study. there isnt anything I can apply to my organization regarding compliance or the value we can extract from our data
June 2, 2017
A great guide to bringing data governance to your organization. Full of helpful charts and reference information.
October 2, 2018
Great hand book for anyone undertaking the arduous task of developing a data governance strategy. I found the book easy to move through and it made sense in terms of overall structure.
March 19, 2019
Some pragmatic advice in there, good starting point
March 17, 2020
Easy read.
February 16, 2021
Some light reading
November 8, 2021
Pretty good overview of what you should take into account for this subject.
July 2, 2022
clear, concise, and brief. direct. just what I need in my new position at data governance program director. thanks!
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May 23, 2025recommend if you work in data management
April 6, 2017
First half and DG tools part are great
Certainly recommended to organizations, who are planning or already engaging data governance initiatives.
Good overall impression from book, especially part about DG tools.
Less interesting reading in case of examples of DG standards, policies, etc. No references to any DG software approaches.
No information about DG implementation roadmap and DG glossary((
Certainly recommended to organizations, who are planning or already engaging data governance initiatives.
Good overall impression from book, especially part about DG tools.
Less interesting reading in case of examples of DG standards, policies, etc. No references to any DG software approaches.
No information about DG implementation roadmap and DG glossary((
February 2, 2016
Some thoughts on implementing Data Governance in an organization.
October 31, 2016
Useful but could have been shorter, hence three stars
April 16, 2017
Complete and objective assessment for building an organic data governance process.
Currently administering a master data management system. This book provided concrete guidance and language. I recommend this book as essential if you are part of the DGT
Currently administering a master data management system. This book provided concrete guidance and language. I recommend this book as essential if you are part of the DGT
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews