Sustainable Data Governance Driving Data-Centric Decision Making in a Multi-Disciplinary Environmental Organization

What makes Data Governance sustainable in an organization? How do you engage an organization’s culture to increase data literacy? Why do some data system implementations fail? While most organizations recognize the value of data and digital transformation, understanding the core components of Data Governance and how to make Data Governance sustainable is the key to driving data-centric decision-making in the digital age. Learn the core strategies ERM has employed to embed Data Governance for more efficient and effective decision-making.

As an organization dedicated to building a more sustainable future with the world’s leading organizations, ERM recognized the gap existing in many environmental firms - a cohesive, standardized approach to Data Governance that supports the complex and nuanced scientific analysis required across multiple industries and a wide variety of client companies. As a consultancy, much of the data ERM manages is “owned” by other stakeholders. These complexities have in the past led to disparate data silos and attempts at digital transformation have not been sustainable. Recently ERM has embraced Data Governance as the foundation for digital enablement. This case study will explore lessons learned along the way including:

• The importance of Subject Matter Experts in designing Data Governance Frameworks
• Strategies for increasing Data Literacy to support Data Governance objectives across an organization
• Embedding Data Governance in digital tools across the data lifecycle
• How Sustainability and Regulatory frameworks support and enhance Data Governance Frameworks

Speaker: Lacy Smith and Theresa Kennedy

Lacy Smith

Lacy Smith is a data governance and data management expert. With nearly two decades of experience, she has designed and implemented data management systems at a number of companies across North America and Asia. As an environmental, health and safety consultant, she has led teams in implementing specialized environmental management information systems while supporting organizations in their data strategy and governance journey. Lacy’s experience includes needs assessments, data governance planning, and strategy development as well as technical design and development. As a Technical Director of Data Analytics and Visualization at Environmental Resources Management, Inc. (ERM), Lacy supports a global team of data managers across ERM’s varied services.

Theresa Kennedy

Theresa is an expert in Data Governance and related topics, and she has 30 years of experience in governance planning, data management, and data enablement for environmental programs. Her expertise spans the full data lifecycle for environmental projects, from requirements analysis and historical data migrations, through to cross-disciplinary integration, visualization, and reporting. She directs ERM's Capability & Data Excellence Center which is focused on delivering world class strategic technology services for core data systems, including ERM's Power Platform and Data Science capabilities. Theresa's focus is on building high performing teams, designing sustainable processes, and creating an environment where ERM's consultants can innovate and deliver world class data and services for our clients.