This is an article on Data Governance that I wrote during my time working at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital - ALSAC. This article was published on the ALSAC Resource Center, the company’s intranet.

As you may have noticed, personal data has become a common topic of discussion within the organization. Importance has increasingly been placed on the protection of individuals’ data. Considering the regulations being placed on the collecting and retaining of personal information, ALSAC is striving to handle the data of all of our partnerships and donors with care.

So you may be asking, “What is Data Governance?” The main goal of the ALSAC Data Governance department is to ensure that we retain Governed Data consistently. Their strategy is unique in that it holds all participants involved with ALSAC accountable for not only the data itself but also addressing issues involving it. This department’s organizational culture treats all ALSAC data as an asset to strategic enterprise. ALSAC’s Data Governance values all information by formatting, monitoring, and guiding the necessary procedures. Being an individual operating body within ALSAC, allows for the Data Governance department to achieve their goal by using their own operating model.

Our Data Governance department has meetings once a month with the stewards from each ALSAC department as well as anyone who would like to join, to address any data related issues and concerns. These meetings allow for at least one member from every department to be aware of any conflicts regarding data throughout the organization so that the information can be shared with their team.

All of the personal data that we process is considered to be an asset to the organization. ALSAC’s Data Governance department encourages all ALSAC employees to gain more knowledge on the importance of treating all of our data with care. If you run into an issue that could use the assistance of our Data Governance department, please submit your issue to the Data Governance Queue. If you have questions regarding Governed Data please contact Robin Scarengos

• Here are some benefits of ALSAC’s Data Governance:

• Consistent data quality

• Increase confidence in the organization’s data

• Define enterprise wide terms and values

• Containing information and guidance in compliance and regulatory efforts concerning the organizations data

• Enhances the ALSAC work force and the donor experience

• Decisions about shared data are cross-collaborative