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Data Governance

Author4o — Tue, 19 Aug 2025 13:37:06 +0000

The Absurdity of Reinventing the Wheel: A Lesson in Data Governance

It’s not every day that someone patents the wheel. Yet, in 2001, an Australian man named John Keogh did exactly that. Or at least, that’s how the story is usually told. With a creative name for the invention, he submitted an application for what he called a “circular transportation facilitation device.” The technical description? A rim. A hollow cylinder. A set of connectors to hold it all together. Oh, and a rubber layer with an inflatable tube, because… why not?

This was not a bid for a spot in the Inventors’ Hall of Fame. Keogh, a freelance patent lawyer, was making a point; one aimed squarely at Australia’s freshly introduced innovation patent system. Designed to be a shortcut for small businesses, the system was, in his view, too permissive. Too easy. A playground for anyone looking to take advantage of the rules.

The whole episode earned Keogh and the Australian Patent Office an IG Nobel Prize in Technology, the kind of award that’s equal parts comedy and critique. His patent didn’t last, of course, but the phrase “reinventing the wheel” found another story to attach itself to; one that applies just as neatly to data governance as it does to intellectual property.

From Wheels to Data: A Familiar Mistake

The wheel is a solved problem. So also, in most cases, is the core framework for managing data. Yet many organizations keep starting from scratch, designing entirely new governance systems while perfectly functional, field-tested models already exist. In spite of what they see right in front of them, they still try to, well, “reinvent the wheel.”

Why? Partly, it’s the illusion of innovation. Building something brand new feels exciting, even when it’s unnecessary. But the result is often quite a bit of trial, even more error, and not much to show for either one.

Effective data governance doesn’t necessarily need a blank slate every day. It requires taking what already works, adapting it for your particular environment, and then putting it into practice with precision. That’s where the following three pillars come in: clarity, consistency, and collaboration.

Clarity

Policies that no one can understand aren’t worth much. While this sounds like an obvious statement, many organizations keep their data governance policies buried in obscure documents that few people even bother to read. What’s even worse is that those policies are often written to satisfy auditors rather than to help the people who actually work with the data.

Without clarity, people start guessing. They make their own interpretations. And before long, you’ve got half a dozen “versions” of what the policy supposedly says circulating around. That’s how inconsistent data handling creeps in, how errors multiply, and how compliance gaps open up without anyone noticing.

The fix is straightforward: Use plain language. Not oversimplified, but clear. Make it obvious where the rules live; that is, ideally in one central location that’s easy to access. Keep it up to date, because old instructions that no longer match reality are just as dangerous as having no instructions at all.

And don’t just post the policy and leave it there. Reinforce it. Make it a point to explain the reasoning behind each rule in training sessions, in quick reminders during team meetings, and even in casual conversations when relevant. People tend to follow what they understand, and they remember what makes sense to them.

Consistency

If clarity can be defined as knowing the rules, then consistency means applying those rules the same way across the entire organization.

Without it, you might have the Marketing department defining a “customer” one way, Finance defining it another, and Operations defining it a third. The result? Conflicting reports, duplicate records, confused team members, and hours wasted reconciling numbers that should have matched in the first place. Not to mention the damage to your group’s reputation.

Consistency isn’t about enforcing rigid uniformity that ignores different departmental needs. It’s about setting shared standards — formats, definitions, approval steps — and sticking to them unless there’s a clear reason not to.

The best way to make that happen is through a data governance committee with members from across the organization. This group acts as referees, translators, and problem-solvers between departments. They spot inconsistencies early and work out compromises before problems get entrenched.

Regular audits help too. Not as “gotcha” exercises meant to throw anyone under the bus, but as reality checks. Questions need to be asked: Are teams following the agreed processes? Are the processes still fit for purpose? Not so much enforcing rules for rules’ sake, but rather making sure the organization can actually trust the data that it’s relying on.

Collaboration

Even with the clearest rules and the most consistent processes, data governance can still fail if collaboration is missing.

In theory, everyone agrees that data should be managed well. In practice, however, different teams have different priorities. Legal wants airtight compliance. Analytics wants speed. Sales wants flexibility. Management wants clear insights they can act on without wading through technical jargon. And IT… well, IT wants to sleep at night.

When these groups operate in isolation, they often work against each other, without even realizing it or intending to do so, trapping valuable lessons within these silos. Processes (like the proverbial “wheel”) get reinvented, often with poor results. And opportunities to make the whole system more efficient are missed entirely.

The solution starts with conversation. Form cross-functional governance teams that meet often enough to stay aligned, not just when a crisis demands it. Use shared tools such as project boards, chat channels, and version-controlled documentation, so everyone can be aware of the bigger picture and contribute when it matters.

Make cooperation an expectation that’s built into everyday workflows, not an optional extra to consider when time allows. And when collaboration pays off, point it out. Acknowledge and reward collaborative wins. Highlight them in company updates. Show, consistently, that the organization values people who make governance work better together.

Putting the Pieces Together

The path to effective governance is not complicated. It is, however, deliberate.

Clarity removes guesswork, replacing it with shared understanding.
Consistency turns that understanding into reliable practice.
Collaboration keeps the whole thing adaptable and resilient.

Before you embark on yet another “brand new” governance initiative, it’s worth asking the question: are we truly innovating, or just changing the paint color on a perfectly good wheel?

The Takeaway

In patent law, reinventing the wheel can earn you a laugh; maybe even an IG Nobel prize. But in data governance, it’ll just cost you time, money, and trust.

The better approach is to learn from strategies that have already been tested, adapt them to fit your needs, and then put effort into keeping things running smoothly. This is where clarity, consistency, and collaboration do their best work: by making data governance both possible and even sustainable.

Data may be one of your most valuable assets, but without good governance, it’s just information sitting in a system. With those three principles in place, it becomes a foundation for better decisions, stronger compliance, and meaningful innovation.

So, let’s stop reinventing the wheel and start making sure the one we’ve got is well-oiled and ready for the road ahead.

“Bringing Data to Life and Life to Data”

About the Author:

Dr. Joe Perez,
Team Lead / Senior Systems Specialist,
NC Department of Health and Human Services

Dr. Joe Perez ( Dr.Joe ) is also the Chief Technology Officer – CogniMind

To book Dr. Joe Perez for your speaking engagement please click here

Dr. Joe Perez was selected as the 2023 Gartner Peer Community Ambassador of the Year.

Dr. Joe Perez is a truly exceptional professional who has left an indelible mark on the IT, health and human services, and higher education sectors. His journey began in the field of education, where he laid the foundation for his career. With advanced degrees in education and a doctorate that included a double minor in computers and theology, Joe embarked on a path that ultimately led him to the dynamic world of data-driven Information Technology.

In the early 1990s, he transitioned into IT, starting as a Computer Consultant at NC State University. Over the years, his dedication and expertise led to a series of well-deserved promotions, culminating in his role as Business Intelligence Specialist that capped his 25 successful years at NC State. Not one to rest on his laurels, Dr. Perez embarked on a new challenge in the fall of 2017, when he was recruited to take on the role of Senior Business Analyst at the NC Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS). His impressive journey continued with promotions to Senior Systems Analyst and Team Leader, showcasing his versatility and leadership capabilities.

In addition to his full-time responsibilities at DHHS, Joe assumed the role of fractional Chief Technology Officer at a North Carolina corporation in October 2020. A top-ranked published author with over 18,000 followers on LinkedIn and numerous professional certifications, he is a highly sought-after international keynote speaker, a recognized expert in data analytics and visualization, and a specialist in efficiency and process improvement.

Dr. Perez’s contributions have not gone unnoticed. He is a recipient of the IOT Industry Insights 2021 Thought Leader of the Year award and has been acknowledged as a LinkedIn Top Voice in multiple topics. He holds memberships in prestigious Thought Leader communities at Gartner, Coruzant Technologies, DataManagementU, Engatica, the Global AI Hub, and Thinkers360 (where he achieved overall Top 20 Thought Leader 2023 ranking in both Analytics and Big Data). His reach extends to more than twenty countries worldwide, where he impacts thousands through his speaking engagements.

Beyond his professional achievements, Joe’s passion for teaching remains undiminished. Whether as a speaker, workshop facilitator, podcast guest, conference emcee, or team leader, he continually inspires individuals to strive for excellence. He treasures his time with his family and is a gifted musician, singer, pianist, and composer. Joe also dedicates his skills as a speaker, interpreter, and music director to his church’s Hispanic ministry. He manages the publication of a widely recognized monthly military newsletter, The Patriot News, and is deeply committed to his community.

To maintain a balanced life, Perez is a regular at the gym, and he finds relaxation in watching Star Trek reruns. He lives by the philosophy that innovation is the key to progress, and he approaches each day with boundless energy and an unwavering commitment to excellence. His journey is a testament to the remarkable achievements of a truly exceptional individual.

Dr. Joe Perez is Accorded with the following Honors & Awards :

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jwperez/details/honors/

Dr. Joe Perez is Bestowed with the following Licences, Certifications & Badge:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jwperez/details/certifications/

https://www.thinkers360.com/tl/badge/19985/2764

Dr.Joe Perez is Voluentering in the following International Industry Associations & Institutions :

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jwperez/details/volunteering-experiences/

Dr.Joe Perez can be contacted at :

Also read Dr.Joe Perez‘s earlier articles:

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Lessons from the Kestrel for Data Analytics

Author4o — Wed, 25 Jun 2025 03:51:37 +0000

The Art of Hovering : Lessons from the Kestrel for Data Analytics

Have you ever wondered why some birds glide effortlessly through the sky and others seem to hover motionless, as though they were weightlessly floating in outer space? Take a look at the kestrel, a rather small but hearty raptor belonging to the Falconidae family, a bird that has perfected a method known as “hovering flight.” With a wingspan of about 75 centimeters and a tail that fans out to act as an aerodynamic rudder, this bird shows the marvel of intelligent design. Skillfully manipulating of its tail feathers and rapidly flapping its wings, the kestrel remains suspended in mid-air, its speed countering the wind’s flow. This enables it to scan the ground below for unerring accuracy, identifying prey at a distance without expending energy in keeping itself moving. Where there is no wind upon which to hover, the kestrel compensates using more sophisticated wing movements to counteract gravity’s pull; a process, though energy-intensive, by which it survives.

This seemingly effortless hovering is, in reality, a complex and deliberate movement that requires the bird to remain still while making slight adjustments to its position. Hovering allows the bird to expand its field of vision, pinpoint its prey accurately, and strike with precision, but it consumes a significant amount of energy. The kestrel must weigh the benefits of remaining in the air against the physical strain it incurs. It’s a matter of balancing; one that’s as much planning as execution.

Now, what does this have to do with data analytics? Surprisingly, quite a bit.

Hovering in the World of Data

As the kestrel seems to float suspended in the air, businesses today float in an arena where staying stuck is not an option. The virtual world churns with data; terabytes upon terabytes of data, generated per second. The challenge is not collecting this data; it’s hovering over it well, examining it from the proper perspective, and making smart decisions based on it. In analytics, much like in nature, the power to swoop in, look, and land with precision is what determines success and failure.

Consider your company or organization like a kestrel in flight. The data you collect, such as customer feedback, sales trends, marketing metrics, and operations performance, represents the wide landscape down below. You can’t spend time chasing after every shiny object or trend that piques your interest. Instead, you need to hover strategically, lock onto the right data points, then draw insights that will let you thrive in a competitive landscape. As with the kestrel, you can accomplish this with the right tools, technique, and, yes, with vigor.

However, a key distinction exists between the kestrel’s hovering flight and the way most companies handle analytics. The kestrel’s behavior in flight is intentional, accurate, and effective. By contrast, businesses often find themselves confused, flapping their metaphorical “wings” chaotically in various directions, trying to make sense of a jumble of the unstructured data with which they’re surrounded. It is here that principles of hovering (namely, stability, focus, and responsiveness) are so valuable.

The Human Quest to Hover: A Mechanical Breakthrough

Humans, too, have been fascinated by the concept of hovering. While nature perfected the art through creatures like the kestrel, we’ve spent decades trying to replicate it mechanically. Enter the modern marvel of engineering: the tiltrotor aircraft. One of the most prominent examples is the V-22 Osprey, a hybrid aircraft that combines the vertical lift capabilities of a helicopter with the speed and range of a fixed-wing airplane. The Osprey transitions from vertical takeoff and hovering to high-speed forward flight by simply tilting its rotors, making it arguably the most versatile aircraft ever built.

The Osprey’s ability to hover is both a technological spectacle and a game-saver for combat missions, search-and-rescue operations, and humanitarian aid. Take, for example, disaster areas where runways aren’t possible. The Osprey can drop supplies and personnel in the area they’re needed by means of hovering. However, as with the kestrel, there’s a cost. Hovering consumes more fuel and works the aircraft’s systems harder, requiring careful planning and operation.

And so, what do we learn from both the kestrel and the Osprey? The key lies in understanding the trade-offs. Whether you are a bird, a machine, or a leader, hovering involves finding the right balance between effort and reward. It’s all about recognizing when to stay put, when to move forward, and how to respond to your surroundings.

Analytics as the Art of Hovering

In analytics, hovering is more of a mindset than a metaphor. In much the same way that the kestrel and the Osprey use hovering to get a strategic advantage, so also businesses need to learn to hover and focus their analytical resources on what matters most. This requires three critical principles: stability, focus, and adaptability.

1. Stability: You need to establish a stable foundation before you can effectively process data. This includes investing in the right infrastructure, from cloud ecosystems to data stores, so that your analytics work is established on solid ground. It also means establishing objectives and KPIs, so that you can identify success before you take flight.

2. Focus: Not all data are created equal. As the kestrel narrows its focus to spot prey, your business has to identify what metrics and what insights are most relevant to your objectives. That may involve dividing customers by behavior, observing trends in supply chain limitations, or tracking ROI of promotions. Targeted analytics is good analytics.

3. Adaptability: The digital environment is constantly changing, and inflexible analytical approaches are inadequate. Companies need to be able to adjust, whether that means integrating new data sources, adopting cutting-edge technologies such as AI and machine learning, or shifting strategies in reaction to evolving market conditions. Flexibility is essential for successfully maneuvering through the changing landscape.

Bringing It All Together

As we’ve taken a look at the kestrel’s graceful flight, the impressive mechanics of the Osprey, and the sophisticated dance of data analysis, one truth stands out: achieving success demands both strategy and execution. Whether stalking prey, delivering relief, or looking at market trends, the principles remain constant. You need to sit back to see, observe, and implement with precision.

But consider this: hovering embodies a lifestyle rather than merely a technique. It involves recognizing that sometimes the most effective path is to pause, recalibrate, and concentrate on what is genuinely important. In an era where the pressure to accelerate and accomplish more is ever-present, the skill of hovering teaches us to decelerate, engage in critical thinking, and reflect thoughtfully.

Therefore, when confronted with an overwhelming amount of data or a significant business dilemma, tap into your inner kestrel. Take a moment to hover. Use the tools at your disposal to stabilize, focus, and adapt. And keep in mind that the secret to success in both analytics and in life lies in understanding both when to keep moving and when to stay still.

Conclusion: Hovering Into the Future

Let’s go back to the kestrel for just a moment: suspended in mid-air, its wings flapping furiously as it counterbalances the wind. Apart from being a marvel of nature, this phenomenon serves a metaphor for the challenges and opportunities we encounter in our modern world. Whether we are interpreting data, engineering aircraft, or simply working our way through the complexities of life, the ability to hover (both literally and metaphorically) equips us to appreciate the broader perspective.

We, like the kestrel, should hover with purpose, accuracy, and intention. Hovering in the realm of data analysis isn’t an indication of indecision; it’s an indication of greatness. It’s about pausing to see, examine, and act with accuracy. It’s about finding the equilibrium between exertion and reward, energy and aftermath.

So, as you begin to your next analytical task, remember the kestrel, the Osprey, and the hovering. Invite the stillness, find your focus, and strike. For with a world in which data is the new terrain, being capable of hovering can be the best competitive advantage.