Principles
In support of its high-level institutional data mission, Western will:
- Ensure that institutional data are viewed as institutional assets with attendant management, security, compliance, ethical treatment, and usage processes in place.
- Cultivate a data culture within the institution through which all who manage and use institutional data are educated about the institution’s data governance framework; develop a communication plan so that data stakeholders are aware of institutional data governance; promote decision-making based on collaboration within all levels of the operational environment, as opposed to being top-down.
- Ensure that data use, reporting, and analytics are conducted within an ethical frame, including data related to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.
- Seek to improve data quality (including visibility, accountability, reliability, and usability).
- Promote the responsible use of institutional data towards solving identified organizational problems.
- Adhere to relevant risks, responsibilities, and legal obligations that are important and/or required for the institution.
- Define and understand access to institutional data assets within the organization by defining decision rights for individuals with a design to empower and encourage responsible behaviour in the creation, storage, use, and destruction of institutional data.
- Establish formal data governance roles and responsibilities within the institution, including Data Governors, Data Trustees, Data Leads, Data Stewards, Data Custodians, and Data Users.
- Establish the foundation for a robust institutional data analytics program.
- Create and formalize relevant policies, standards, guidelines, and agreements for both institutional data management and data sharing contexts.
- Maximize the value institutional data assets by improving understanding and subsequent use.
