Hello everyone and welcome back to the Cognixia podcast!
Every week, we discuss something new and interesting from emerging digital technologies, hoping to inspire our listeners to learn something new and advance in their careers. Every week we also receive all your amazing feedback and suggestions that drive us to keep going, bringing you one more interesting episode after another. So, thank you to all our awesome listeners all over the world.
In today’s episode, we will talk about a role that is becoming increasingly popular in the world around us. We will be talking about a data steward. Who a data steward is, what they do, what the role entails, and more.
If you have never heard of this term before, keep listening, you are in for quite an informative episode. If you have heard of the term and would like to know more about this role, then also keep listening, we are sure it will be helpful.
So, who is a data steward?
The data steward role emerged in the early 2000s as organizations grappled with the explosion of digital information. As data became a strategic asset, concerns arose about its quality, security, and compliance with regulations. Enter the data steward: a champion tasked with overseeing the well-being of an organization’s data assets.
Popularity for this role soared with the rise of data governance initiatives and the implementation of stricter data privacy regulations like GDPR and CCPA. Data stewards became crucial in navigating the complexities of data management, ensuring data accuracy, accessibility, and responsible usage.
Their responsibilities are multifaceted, encompassing everything from defining data ownership and access controls to managing data quality and ensuring adherence to data governance policies. They act as a bridge between technical and business teams, translating data needs into actionable plans and ensuring data is used effectively to drive informed decision-making.
Data stewards play a critical role in ensuring the quality, security, and responsible use of data within an organization. Their work could revolve around multiple areas, such as:
One, data governance and policy.
Here, a data steward would be involved in defining and enforcing data governance policies, collaborating with stakeholders, monitoring compliance, etc.
Two, data quality and management.
The data steward could be actively working on defining data standards & formats, monitoring data quality, and ensuring proper documentation takes place for data origin, transformation, as well as usage to maintain traceability and accountability.
Three, data security and access control.
A data steward’s role would require defining and enforcing data access controls, implementing security measures, and staying updated on data privacy regulations like GDPR and CCPA, etc. They would work in tandem with other teams to ensure the right data security measures are implemented across the organization.
Last and most importantly, communication and collaboration.
Data stewards act as an important liaison between the technical and the business teams, acting as a bridge between the technical aspects of data management and the business needs of different departments. They are responsible for promoting data literacy in the organization. Their contributions play a critical role in enabling data-driven decision-making in the organization since they are responsible for translating data insights into actionable plans for various data functions.
To sum up the role of a data steward, data stewards are essential for maintaining the integrity and trustworthiness of data within an organization. They play a crucial role in ensuring data is used effectively and responsibly to support informed decision-making, while also adhering to ethical considerations and data privacy regulations.
Now, how does one get started on the path to being a data steward? I am sure none of us grew up thinking we wanted to grow up and be a data steward. I am also sure no kids out there right now dream of becoming a data steward when they grow up either. So, once you are an adult and you realize this is a role that interests you, then what do you do?
To begin with, a background in computer science, information technology, statistics, business administration, or related fields would generally be preferred. On the technical skills front, you would need proficiency or at least familiarity with various database management systems and querying languages like SQL, which would be crucial for having a proper understanding of different functions and for working with data. You would also need to have a proven ability to analyze data, identify trends, and interpret results. So, knowledge of Microsoft Excel as well as different data visualization tools would be a huge plus. Additionally, having a good understanding of data governance frameworks and data security best practices would help you develop & implement effective data protection strategies.
That’s the hard skills aspect. Now, coming to the soft skills. Communication and collaboration are absolutely critical skills for a data steward. You need to have the ability to transform technical concepts into non-technical explanations and non-technical explanations for technical folks smoothly. You need to win trust and foster collaboration in the role, so that has to be one of your strengths. Your problem-solving abilities and critical thinking capabilities also need to be top-notch. You should be organized and have a good eye for detail.
Coming to the beneficial to have skills, having a solid understanding of data privacy regulations in different territories would be a huge plus. If you have strong business acumen and are open to embracing continuous learning, make sure to highlight it on your resume because these are also highly sought-after skills in a data steward.
While not always mandatory, pursuing relevant certifications can demonstrate your commitment to data stewardship and enhance your skill set. These can include Certified Data Management Professional (CDMP) or certifications specific to data governance platforms or tools used by your desired employer.
Remember, the specific requirements may vary depending on the organization and industry. Exploring job descriptions for data steward positions can provide additional insights into the skills and experience they are seeking.
Also, knowing how large language models work and being good at prompt engineering can be an enormous feather in your cap when looking to build a career as a data steward.
Looking ahead, the data steward role is likely to evolve further as organizations embrace new technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning. Data stewards will need to stay updated on these advancements to ensure data is used ethically and responsibly in these new contexts. Additionally, the increasing importance of data privacy will require stewards to play a more prominent role in safeguarding sensitive information and building trust with stakeholders. As data continues to be the lifeblood of modern organizations, the data steward will remain a vital role in ensuring its responsible and impactful use.
Does that sound exciting? Then time to explore and learn, because there really couldn’t be a better time to start as a data steward than now.
To get certified across different skill sets, visit our website – www.cognixia.com to explore our complete range of live online instructor-led training and certification courses. You can talk to us on the chat window there to get answers to all your questions.
And, with that, we come to the end of this week’s episode of the Cognixia podcast. We hope we inspired some of you to explore the possibilities of being a data steward or maybe hiring one for your organization.
We will be back again next week with another interesting and exciting new episode of the Cognixia podcast.
Until then, happy learning!
