Build a Practical Foundation for Data Governance

Effective data governance requires more than policies; it demands a solid operational framework. This micro-credential focuses on the essential structures, roles, and processes that turn governance concepts into action. Through six targeted modules, participants gain hands-on insights into frameworks, stewardship, data quality, metadata, and policy development — all designed to help you implement governance that supports both business needs and data management priorities.

Data Governance Foundations emphasizes the relationship between governance and data management, providing a practical, operational lens for applying governance across the data lifecycle. Learners will build confidence in implementing scalable governance programs and applying foundational concepts in their organizations.

Whether you’re preparing for the Applied Data Governance Practitioner Certification Exam or strengthening governance efforts on the ground, this course helps bridge theory and practice for immediate impact.

How This Micro-Credential Works

Your next step toward mastering applied data governance.

As the second part of the three-course ADGP Certification Education Program, this micro-credential can also be completed as a standalone course. With self-paced modules and a practical assessment, participants will explore governance frameworks, stakeholder strategies, compliance, and organizational change. Upon completion, you’ll earn a certificate of completion and CEUs — enhancing your skills and professional profile.

Why Choose This Micro-Credential?

Learn how to build governance that works in the real world.

Data Governance Foundations focuses on the “how” of governance — empowering professionals to move from understanding concepts to applying them in practice. You’ll learn how to develop policies, define roles, manage data quality and metadata, and support cross-functional data initiatives. Whether you are preparing for the ADGP Certification Exam or looking to operationalize governance within your organization, this course will deliver practical skills that drive results.

• Micro-Credential CEUs: 14
• We offer several bulk licensing options for corporate and group use.
• Contact us for a follow-up discussion!

Is This Micro-Credential Right for You or Your Team?

Perfect for professionals tasked with implementing, managing, or sustaining data governance practices.

If you’re responsible for turning data governance concepts into daily practice — or want to be — this micro-credential is designed for you. It’s ideal for:

• Data governance professionals seeking applicable, hands-on skills
• Data stewards, analysts, and business managers involved in governance
• Professionals preparing for the Applied Data Governance Practitioner (ADGP) Certification Exam
• Teams looking to operationalize governance frameworks and support enterprise data initiatives

Build the Core Knowledge and Tools to Operationalize Data Governance

By the end of this micro-credential, you’ll be able to:

• Explain how data governance supports data quality, integrity, and business value across the enterprise.
• Differentiate data governance from data management — and describe how both work together to drive business outcomes.
• Apply governance frameworks, principles, and accountability structures to real-world data environments.
• Assess data quality risks and apply governance strategies to improve data accuracy, consistency, and usability.
• Define metadata types and explain how metadata management supports governance and enterprise data strategy.
• Evaluate data governance tools, select solutions aligned to business goals, and implement them effectively.
• Embed governance practices into data initiatives like analytics, master data management, and system migrations.
• Identify and apply governance guardrails — principles, policies, and standards — that shape data use and compliance.
• Develop best practices for sustaining high-quality data stewardship and tool adoption within your organization.
• Measure governance effectiveness with metrics and KPIs that track adoption, impact, and continuous improvement.

Your Learning Path: Explore the Modules

Gain practical knowledge through six focused modules:

1. Data Governance Conceptual Framework
   Examine governance principles, frameworks, and how they support data value, integrity, and alignment with business goals. Learn to distinguish governance from data management and evaluate governance effectiveness in practice.
2. Data Quality and the Role of Data Governance
   Explore how governance drives data quality by addressing accuracy, reliability, and usability across the organization. Understand key data quality dimensions, root causes of poor data, and governance’s role in improving outcomes.
3. Metadata Management and Its Strategic Role in Governance
   Learn the fundamentals of metadata types, roles, and management practices — and why metadata is critical to governance success. Discover best practices for tool selection, integration, and measuring metadata’s business impact.
4. Data Governance Toolkit
   Gain practical insight into key governance tools like metadata catalogs, lineage tracking, and data quality dashboards. Understand selection strategies, adoption challenges, and how tools support sustainable governance programs.
5. Data Governance Supporting Data Initiatives
   See how governance underpins initiatives like analytics, MDM, migrations, and interoperability. Learn strategies for aligning governance with projects and embedding it within enterprise data ecosystems.
6. Principles, Policies, and Standards in Data Governance
   Understand how principles, policies, and standards define governance in action — and the strategic drivers behind them. Get practical guidance on writing clear, enforceable, and scalable governance documents.

What’s Next After This Micro-Credential?

Continue building your skills with the full ADGP Certification education path:

Micro-Credential One: Business Imperatives for Data Governance — Focuses on the strategic drivers of governance, including business value, compliance, and change management.

Micro-Credential Three: Data Governance in Practice — Prepares learners to apply governance frameworks at scale, manage tools, and lead governance initiatives.

Take the Certification Exam

• 100-question multiple-choice exam (online, 2 hours)
• Based on the Applied Data Governance Body of Knowledge
• Assesses knowledge, skills, and applied competencies
• Psychometrically validated for fairness and reliability
• Earn the ADGP designation — a recognized professional credential
• You must get a 70% or higher to pass the exam

Prove your skills with a comprehensive, application-focused exam that tests your ability to apply governance principles in real-world scenarios.

Partnered for Your Success

DATAVERSITY® — A global leader in data governance education, training, and industry events.

PowerED™ by Athabasca University (AU) — A pioneer in on-demand learning, backed by AU’s legacy of online education excellence.

Together, we deliver practical skills, recognized credentials, and real-world value for today’s data professionals.

• We offer several bulk licensing options for corporate and group use.
• Contact us for a follow-up discussion!

Click to View the Full ADGP Certification Program