What Is Data Stewardship?

Data stewardship is like being a guardian or a caretaker for data within an organization. It involves making sure that data is accurate, available, and secure. Here’s a breakdown of what it entails in simpler terms:

1. Keeping Data Clean and Accurate: Like making sure that the names and addresses in a contact list are correct.
2. Making Data Available: Ensuring that people who need to use the data can easily access it, much like making sure that books in a library are available to those who want to read them.
3. Protecting Data: Like a guard at the gate, ensuring that sensitive or private data is kept safe from unauthorized access or theft.
4. Following Rules and Regulations: Making sure that how data is handled follows the laws and guidelines, like a traffic cop ensuring everyone follows the road rules.
5. Improving Data Quality: Constantly looking for ways to make the data better, like a gardener pruning and nurturing plants to help them grow better.

This role is crucial in organizations as it helps ensure that data, a valuable asset, is treated with the care and respect it deserves, much like how a museum curator takes care of precious artifacts.