Ventana Research conducted benchmark research to understand how business users and IT professionals view the effectiveness of data governance in their organizations and how organizations are addressing difficulties in establishing data governance to align information systems with business priorities and comply with regulations and execute data governance processes in their management of IT assets, processes and personnel. This research yielded concrete insights into best and worst practices to help executives and managers better understand how to improve their data governance efforts. Ventana Research believes that armed with research-based insights to guide proper data governance planning and execution, companies can achieve a competitive advantage through increased efficiency and quality of data across business.

Managing the quality, consistency and security of information is critical to reducing business risk and achieving business success. Yet the growth and complexity of applications and data systems for business intelligence, customer and product information management, finance, online commerce and more can make this very difficult. Data governance - the practice of setting policies, rules and processes that guide the use, development and protection of information - can make an important difference. Tools and methods for data governance can allow business users to work together with IT management to oversee how data assets are used in their organizations, ensure adherence to regulations and improve the implementation of information management systems.