Data and Information Inventory and Attributes - Governance attributes for the Data and Information Inventory

Data and Information Inventory and Attributes

Chapter 13. Governance attributes for the Data and Information Inventory

Authored and Published By: The International Foundation for Information Technology (IF4IT), LLC

Executive Summary: Chapter Overview

IF4IT

The Bottom Line

This chapter defines governance attributes that connect each Data and Information type to policies, standards, stewardship expectations, decision rights, and control obligations. These attributes make the inventory actionable by linking data type records to the governance mechanisms that define, approve, monitor, and enforce responsible use.

Core Concepts

ConceptDefinition & Strategic Role
Governance PolicyGovernance policy references connect a data type to the enterprise rules that apply to it. This makes control expectations explicit rather than implied by informal knowledge.
Decision RightsDecision rights identify who can approve definition changes, classifications, access rules, or lifecycle transitions. They prevent unmanaged changes to high-impact data definitions.
Stewardship CadenceStewardship cadence defines how often the data type is reviewed for accuracy, quality, ownership, and compliance. A recurring cadence keeps the inventory alive and reliable.

Quick Q&A

Question: How do governance attributes turn the inventory into an operating control?

Answer: They bind Data and Information records to policies, approval rights, stewardship routines, and control expectations. That linkage gives teams a practical basis for reviewing definitions, enforcing classifications, approving changes, and demonstrating that data governance is active rather than merely documented.

Read More Below

Governance attributes document the standards, definitions, and review processes that govern each Data and Information type.

Attribute NameMaturityDescription and Notes
Governing StandardWalk

Description — The data standard, schema, or specification that defines the valid structure, format, and values for this Data and Information type.

Benefit(s) — Enables standards-based data governance and interoperability. When a Governing Standard is referenced, any system producing or consuming this type can validate conformance without ambiguity.

Source — Manual.

Examples — ISO 4217 (Currency Codes), HL7 FHIR R4 (Healthcare data), EDI X12 (Financial transactions), XBRL (Financial reporting), Enterprise Data Dictionary v3.2 (custom types)

Notes — If no external standard governs this type, record the enterprise-defined schema or data dictionary entry that serves the same purpose.

Review CadenceWalk

Description — How often this Data and Information type record is formally reviewed for accuracy, completeness, and currency.

Benefit(s) — Ensures governance attention is proportional to the type’s importance and rate of change. Types with high sensitivity or regulatory obligation warrant more frequent review.

Source — Manual.

Examples — Monthly, Quarterly, Semi-Annual, Annual

Notes — Minimum: Annual for all Active types. Quarterly recommended for types with Sensitivity Classification = PII, PHI, PCI, or PFI.

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