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CHAPTER

Definitions and concepts

2

Metaphors are hard to implement.
dJohn Ladley

While this chapter is titled Definitions and concepts, it is much more than a glossary or repeat of DG
bromides. We need to spend some time on the deeper concepts behind the terms that influence the
processes to be presented. Also, rather than present a definition and just let it sit there, we will talk
about how the term or concept fits into practical data governance practice. In addition, wherever a term
or concept is being used in different ways in the real world, we will point out the differences. Either
way, we will determine one definition of all the terms you will need to know to get through the
remainder of the book. Data governance (DG) is part of a larger discipline that has traditionally been
called enterprise information management (EIM). In fact, most confusion about the meaning of data
governance stems from there being slightly differing views as to how it fits into information
management.
Information management is commonly defined and understood as stated in the Data Management
Body of Knowledge, or DMBOK, for short. The DMBOK labels data management as synonymous with
information management. This is fine since we have taken the position that data, information, and
content (documents, media, et al.) are all the same fodder for data governance. For the remainder of
this book, information management, data management, and content management, as well as data
governance, information governance, and content governance, all point to the same concepts and
activities.

KEY CONCEPT:
Where possible, we will use the DMBOK definitions unless the definition is not contained in the DMBOK, or
industry trends have obviously altered the definition of a term. Even if the author disagrees with DMBOK, we will
forge ahead with DMBOK, and work around any heartburn!

CONCEPTS BEHIND DATA GOVERNANCE

Rather than start with the term “data governance,” we have to start with what and where is governing
happening. Therefore, before we dig into definitions specific to the world of data governance, there are
three interrelated and key concepts or terms that need to be understood. They are:
• Data (Information) Management
• Enterprise Information Management
• Data (Information) Architecture
Data Governance. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-415829-0.00002-2 7
Copyright Ó 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.