Two new guidance documents have been published by GS1 US to support organizations evaluating their data quality program within their organizations. The GS1 US Data Governance Best Practice Guidance document provides industry best practices that businesses can implement to improve data governance processes. In addition, the Data Governance Assessment Guide helps gauge the effectiveness of a company’s data governance processes and procedures.

The Data Governance Best Practice Guidance outlines industry recommendations including how to establish centralized points of control, the role of data stewards, and the verification and maintenance of the data governance program within an organization. It also addresses in detail the essential processes within a data governance program: Global Trade Item Number^® (GTIN^®) management, product measurement, new item set-up, and ongoing item maintenance and data synchronization. Data governance is one of three key pillars of the GS1 US National Data Quality Program, which was developed by a collaboration of stakeholders from various industries focused on responding to increasing consumer and trading partner demands for complete, accurate, and timely product information.

As a tool to help supplier organizations explore their data quality readiness and prepare for data quality certification, the Data Governance Assessment Guide offers a series of questions that companies can use to self-evaluate their data governance programs. The guide examines seven areas: data governance processes, data quality processes, GTIN management, product management, attribute accuracy, data synchronization and training. Based on the assessment score results, organizations can determine which areas within their master data management programs need improvement. GS1 US offers customized training and implementation support to help address these challenges through its Advisory Services program.

“Many industries are reaching a “tipping point” in which quality data is becoming a key driver for measuring operational success,” said Siobhan O’Bara, senior vice president of industry engagement, GS1 US. “A company that adheres to the data governance best practices and takes advantage of tools such as the Assessment Guide and Best Practice Guidance can formalize accountability for data management across the organization and ensure complete and accurate information is shared between trading partners and with consumers.”