Unlock the power of practical, risk-aware, and value-driven data governance to transform your organization's data chaos into strategic clarity. Making Data Governance Work is your hands-on guide to mastering the complexities of modern data environments. Whether you're launching a new data governance initiative or reviving one that's lost steam, this book equips you with actionable strategies to prioritize, organize, and implement effective governance programs that actually stick. Designed for professionals from diverse backgrounds-project managers, data analysts, compliance officers, engineers-this book meets you where you are and helps you turn theory into measurable impact. You'll learn how to build a data governance roadmap grounded in risk assessment, business value, and organizational priorities. Discover how to analyze your data environment, identify your highest-risk data sets, and map them to the governance functions most urgently needed. If you've ever asked, "Where do we even start with data governance?", this book has the answer-backed by proven frameworks, templates, and real-world advice. Inside, you'll find comprehensive coverage of all the major data governance functions-data quality, data stewardship, metadata management, master data management (MDM), regulatory compliance, privacy, entitlements, AI/ML governance, and more.

You'll also gain insight into how governance roles are structured across Data Governance Offices, Steering Committees, and Stewardship Teams, helping you clarify responsibilities and build collaboration across your enterprise.