MetadataGovernance

Metadata governance is the organizational discipline of managing metadata across information systems to support data quality, discovery, lineage, access, and compliance. It encompasses policies, standards, and processes that ensure metadata is accurate, complete, and governed throughout its lifecycle.

Key components include a metadata repository or data catalog, metadata standards and schemas, a business glossary, lineage tracking, and data quality metrics. Metadata capture and curation are supported by automated scanning tools and manual stewardship, while change management ensures metadata evolves with systems and data flows.

Governance roles typically include data stewards responsible for domain-specific metadata, data owners accountable for data quality and usage, metadata managers, and a governance council or committee. Clear policies specify who can create, modify, or delete metadata, how sensitive metadata is protected, and how metadata is valued in data workflows.

Common standards and frameworks referenced in metadata governance include DAMA-DMBOK, ISO/IEC 11179 for metadata registries, and ISO 8000 for data quality, as well as data catalogs and lineage tooling that align with data governance programs. Organizations may adopt formal metadata models, taxonomies, and controlled vocabularies to enable interoperability.

Benefits include improved data discovery and understanding, better data quality and trust, streamlined compliance and auditing, and easier impact analysis for changes. Challenges involve scope definition, keeping metadata current across heterogeneous systems, tool fragmentation, and ensuring sustained funding for governance activities.