Data Mesh supports a distributed and federated governance with different data domains in the organization. This represents a shift in roles, as domains become responsible for the governance of their data area(i.e. documentation, mapping, documentation, quality management...)
However, this "local" level control does not exclude enterprise-level facilitation, monitoring and federation. The company ensures compliance with common practices and standards for greater harmonization. Federated governance, as prescribed by Data Mesh, therefore requires the use of common tools such as a single data catalog, shared by all domains.
Governance federated by a Data Office
The Data Office centralizes the standards for data description and thus allows for federated governance. The Data Office team supports the various domains in standardizing governance. Today some Data Offices perform this function, but with the Data Mesh approach the role is expanded, as the federation is not only about data governance but also about data products.
Federated governance in practice
There are many ways to implement federated governance. The Data Office is key to this approach because of its expertise and can delegate specialists within the teams.
Data governance officers will play a role in ensuring consistency between the central and local levels. Today, the company can rely on existing functions: the Data Owner and/or Data Steward.
This federated governance will promote agility and respond to the needs and autonomy of each domain. Autonomous and accountable, domains can benefit from improved data quality and metadata documentation. Data truly becomes an asset for the business and a driver of value creation for the domains.
