In an era where dashboards, metrics, and automation tend to dominate people’s workspaces, organizations risk losing the human element that makes data governance stick – trust, context, and real-world connection to the company’s mission. This Special Interest Group explores how intentional rounding in person (i.e., engaging directly with data consumers, stewards, and operational teams) can transform the practice of digital data governance from an exercise in compliance to a culture of shared ownership and accountability. 

Drawing inspiration from clinical rounding models and field-based engagement, we’ll discuss how face-to-face interactions help uncover why policies aren’t followed, unmask hidden friction points, and reinforce data governance as a collaborative practice vs. a top-down mandate. The presentation will include case-based examples showing measurable improvements in policy adherence when in-person rounding is complemented with digital monitoring and highlight tools utilized to improve data fluency and build stakeholder trust. 

Attendees will learn a practical framework for designing and sustaining a “Data Governance Rounding” program, including a scheduling cadence and feedback loops to inform data fluency and policy evolution. 

Key Takeaways:

• How human connection reinforces digital efficacy.
• A model for “Data Governance Rounding” that integrates feedback into data fluency bolstering and policy refinement.
• Metrics for evaluating trust and adherence improvements. 
• How in-person meetings can help uncover gaps in the data. 
   

Special interest group (SIG) discussions are small group conversations on topics that are new or specific to a smaller audience segment. The format is casual and without any formal presentation, and the objective is to engage all participants in an exchange of ideas, questions, and advice, so please come with a willingness to participate in the conversation. 

Speaker: Will Train, Data Governance Specialist, The University of Kansas Health System

Will Train is a Data Governance Specialist at The University of Kansas Health System, where he focuses on advancing Data Stewardship and promoting Data Fluency across the organization. Previously, he served as Director of Programming at Veterans Community Project, where he established the organization’s data governance framework by developing data-capture policies, standard operating procedures, and quality standards. Earlier in his career, Will worked as a statistical programmer in clinical research, a role that sharpened his commitment to data quality and stewardship through rigorous FDA submission requirements and the need to resolve complex user-generated data issues.