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Data Governance

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Data Governance Overview:

Welcome to the Data Governance Policy page, where we provide a comprehensive overview of our structured framework for managing the University's data assets. Our vision is to foster a well-defined environment that enhances data management, promoting informed decision-making across UHD. Our mission is to ensure the quality, accessibility, security, and proper use of data through well-established policies, standards, and educational initiatives. This framework outlines the principles that guide our commitment to high data management standards, ensuring that data is effectively governed to support the University's strategic goals.

Objectives:

The Data Governance Program aims to support the University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) 's business objectives by addressing essential data management elements, including ownership, stewardship, integrity, access, privacy classification, and reporting. This encompasses all UHD data, such as student, faculty, human resources, finance, facilities, alumni, and donor information, regardless of where it is stored. Research data is managed by Policy 08.A.07 Data Management and Sharing. This policy applies to all individuals affiliated with UHD who require or are permitted access to university data, irrespective of the manner, form, duration, or location of that access.

Committees

Click on the committee or group names to expand and view the members. You can collapse the sections by clicking the names again.

Forming Business Process Sub-Committee

The goal of the Data Governance Business Process Sub-Committee is to ensure that data governance practices are effectively integrated into business processes to enhance the quality, security, and usability of university data. Specifically, the goals of the breakout group may include:

Key Areas of Focus

Ownership and Access:

  • Define the ownership of each business process and its related data.
  • Determine who has access to which parts of the business process based on roles and responsibilities.
  • Establish clear guidelines for assigning ownership for specific processes and data sets.

Access Request and Assignment:

  • Standardize the process for requesting and assigning access to systems or data.
  • Implement a role-based access control (RBAC) model to ensure users have appropriate permissions based on their role in the organization.
  • Include periodic reviews to maintain up-to-date access control.

Change Management:

  • Develop a formal process for requesting, approving, and implementing changes to business processes.
  • Create a structured workflow for reviewing and documenting changes, including potential impacts on other departments or stakeholders.
  • Ensure proper communication and training related to any changes.

Reporting and Distribution:

  • Establish procedures for the creation and distribution of reports.
  • Define who is responsible for generating reports, verifying their accuracy, and ensuring they are delivered to the right stakeholders.

Breakout Groups for Data Governance Business Process Initiative

Given the complexity of this initiative, breakout groups will address specific areas of data governance. Each group will have a designated VP as the owner and a point person or committee assigned to execution.

Prioritization:
The focus begins with student data, as it forms the basis for most institutional decisions and impacts several other areas like advising and academic affairs. Once student data is addressed, the focus will shift to other areas.

Decision-Making:
Clear decision-making authority is necessary for each group, with responsibilities falling under Enrollment Management, Academic Affairs, or other relevant divisions.