Data and Systems Governance Guide
The Data and Systems Governance Guide helps institutions move from fragmented data practices toward a coordinated, strategic approach to data governance.
Through a structured framework and visual journey map, the toolkit helps institutions strengthen data management and stewardship, build responsible data infrastructure, and use analytics to support institutional goals.
What You'll Find in This Toolkit
- Guidebook and Journey Map
A phased framework that guides institutions through key activities and milestones for developing and sustaining data governance. - Templates and Planning Tools
Ready-to-use resources, including an action plan template, data dictionary starter, and guidance for developing dashboards and scorecards. - Supporting Resources
Documents and curated resources to help establish governance practices, define data and metrics, strengthen knowledge, and support organizational adoption.
Who This Toolkit Is For
- Chief Business Officers (CBOs)
- Finance and Business Office Teams
- Institutional Research and Data Analysts
- IT and Data Management Leaders
- Strategy, Planning, and Accreditation Teams
- Cross-functional leaders involved in data-informed decision-making
What This Toolkit Can Help You Achieve
- Develop policies and practices for managing and using data as an institutional asset.
- Strengthen collaboration and consistency across teams responsible for institutional data.
- Build a culture that supports responsible, data-informed decision-making.
How to Use This Toolkit
You don't have to implement everything at once. Whether your institution is just getting started or looking to strengthen existing practices, this toolkit offers ways to make progress at different levels of involvement.
Quick Start
—Build a foundational understanding of data governance and identify opportunities to improve how institutional data is managed and used.
Deeper Integration
—Bring teams together to clarify responsibilities, strengthen collaboration, and establish more consistent data management practices.
Full Implementation
—Embed sustainable data governance practices across the institution to support long-term collaboration and data-informed decision-making.
See This Toolkit in Action
Learn how institutions have used Data and Systems Governance Guide to improve student outcomes.
Ready to get started with Data and Systems Governance Guide Toolkit?
Access the full toolkit in the NACUBO Student Success Hub account.
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