[glossary_exclude]Data governance (DG) can be a challenging initiative for any enterprise launching such a program, but DG is also challenging for enterprises with a fairly mature program in place. There are a lot of success factors that need to be met to achieve a highly mature and effective DG program while the variables keep changing. To get a DG program started on the right path or have a course correction for one which is already underway, here are 10 guiding principles that should be followed:

1. Data is a strategic enterprise asset and should be managed as such.
2. DG is an evergreen program and a business discipline, not a project, which needs an ongoing investment, support, and exposure.
3. DG is the foundation upon which all enterprise information initiatives are built.
4. DG and stewardship are a shared responsibility between business and IT.
5. There must be a common glossary with shared and approved business terms and data definitions with a clear stewardship and ownership process.
6. There is only one version of the truth for enterprise data which is actively managed and trustworthy.
7. Data management needs to comply with legal and regulatory requirements, internal policies, and follow industry best practices and standards.
8. Enterprise data are accessible and understood by relevant roles as needed in order to carry out their duties.
9. Accountability for different data management practices is clearly defined, assigned, and managed
10. DG efforts, goals and objectives, priorities, decisions, and deliverables (procedures, processes, standards, policies, framework, etc.) are always communicated and made available to the entire enterprise.[/glossary_exclude]