Let Robots Do the Hard Work: Data Governance in the Age of AI
This talk explores how GenAI transforms data governance from compliance to innovation, driving data discovery, access, and automation at Metaphor
Hiring a specialist for a specific tool might seem like the fastest way to get back on track, but it’s a shortsighted solution.
Warning: The following scenario is based on true events.
Your company invested a hefty sum in a top-tier data governance tool (we’ll call it “Callibrate”. Your team spent months and months (and a few more months) on implementation. Things were going okay, when you got word that your lead driver of the project, the go-to expert, is quitting. $@#%.
Now you’re in a bind, scrambling to fill their shoes. So, you post a job listing for a "Callibrate Developer" or "Callibrate Specialist” to keep the project going and push organizational adoption and training for the tool.
Here’s why that’s the wrong move.
Hiring a specialist for a specific tool might seem like the fastest way to get back on track, but it’s a shortsighted solution. What happens when you decide to switch tools? All the time and money spent on training and certifications becomes a sunk cost. Plus, if a tool requires an expert just to function, it’s a clear sign that it’s not intuitive or user-friendly. Modern SaaS tools should be straightforward enough for your team to pick up quickly, without extensive training or a steep learning curve.
Focus on data governance, not the tool. A Data governance expert goes beyond knowing the ins and outs of a single tool. They understand the principles, policies, and best practices that can be applied universally. A true data governance expert can adapt to any tool, making your organization more flexible and resilient to change.
We’ve covered what not to do, now let’s focus on the fix.
Data is only going to become more complex. The solution isn’t to get bogged down with specialists for every tool on the market. Instead, focus on cultivating a deep understanding of data governance. Choose tools that facilitate, not hinder, this understanding. Create an environment where your team can thrive, learn, and adapt.
In short, stop wasting time and money on vendor-specific roles. Invest in real expertise. Choose tools that make sense. And for the love of data, let’s make things easier, not harder.
The Metaphor Metadata Platform represents the next evolution of the Data Catalog - it combines best in class Technical Metadata (learnt from building DataHub at LinkedIn) with Behavioral and Social Metadata. It supercharges an organization’s ability to democratize data with state of the art capabilities for Data Governance, Data Literacy and Data Enablement, and provides an extremely intuitive user interface that turns even the most non-technical user into a fan of the catalog. See Metaphor in action today!