Chief Data Officer (CDO)

Definition:

The most senior executive in the enterprise responsible for the strategy and implementation of the data management initiative.

Commentary:

The function includes, but is not limited to:
– Establishing and maintaining the data management initiative
– Understanding business requirements and aligning them to the objectives of the data management initiative
– Defining the strategy and operational framework needed to implement the data management initiative
– Documenting the business case and aligning it to the budget and funding mechanisms needed for initiative implementation and sustainability
– Defining the data quality framework necessary to ensure trust and confidence in data assets
– Defining the data architecture framework for ensuring a unified view of meaning across the organization
– Establishing the standards, policies and procedures for the data management initiative
– Defining and implementing the data governance and organizational structures needed to support the objectives of the data management initiative
– Ensuring stakeholder understanding, alignment and commitment to the objectives of the data management initiative