Robert S. Seiner
- None, The Data Administration Newsletter
Pittsburgh
President & Principal of KIK Consulting & Educational Services. Author of the Non-Invasive Data Governance books. Adjunct Faculty at Carnegie Mellon University.
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Articles by Robert S. Seiner
All in the Data: Three Things That Are Not Dead
I have attended the imaginary funerals for practically everything we do. Technologies change … Terminology changes … Acronyms multiply … Consultants (like moi!) discover new words for old ideas, and suddenly something we have relied on for decades is declared dead. Give it six months, and somebody will bring it back with a new name, a new acronym, and probably a higher price tag. It’s all in the data.
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All in the Data: To Govern or Not to Govern
A few weeks ago, I wrote on LinkedIn about the lessons of 1776 and what they might teach us about data and AI. The blog explored the idea that the founding of a nation required more than ambition – it required structure, accountability, communication, and a shared understanding of purpose. Without those elements, there would have been no Declaration … no Constitution … and no foundation for the future. It’s all in the data.
All in the Data: Artificial Versus Natural Intelligence
Artificial intelligence has become the phrase of the decade … maybe even the phrase of the generation. It shows up in boardrooms, product demos, keynote stages, and just about every conversation where somebody wants to sound current, innovative, or a little bit magical. The problem is not that the phrase is wrong.
All in the Data: Artificial Versus Natural Intelligence
Artificial intelligence has become the phrase of the decade … maybe even the phrase of the generation. It shows up in boardrooms, product demos, keynote stages, and just about every conversation where somebody wants to sound current, innovative, or a little bit magical. The problem is not that the phrase is wrong.
All in the Data: The State of Data Governance in 2026
In 2026, data governance has stopped tiptoeing around the edges of organizational strategy and stepped directly into the spotlight, whether organizations are ready for it or not. The rise of agentic AI — systems that decide, plan, and adapt on their own — didn’t politely wait for governance frameworks to mature. It forced the issue.
All in the Data: Brain Rot vs. Data Rot
Oxford University Press’ 2024 Word of the Year, “brain rot,” is both funny and frightening. It captures what happens when we spend too much time swimming in trivial content — endless scrolling, bite-sized videos, and memes that somehow stick in our heads longer than important things like where we left our keys. It’s the deterioration of focus, the weakening of mental stamina, and the acceptance of the ridiculous as everyday truth.
Rethinking (Data) Politics in the Workplace
Most people cringe when they hear the word politics in the workplace. It brings to mind backroom deals, favoritism, turf wars, and decision-making that feels more about power than about progress. In the world of data, politics often gets blamed for blocking change — departments hoarding information, leaders fighting over priorities, and executives struggling to align. It’s no wonder so many professionals wish they could escape politics altogether.
Data Governance and CSR: Evolving Together
In a world where every claim your organization makes — about sustainability, equity, or social impact — is scrutinized by regulators, investors, and the public, one truth stands out: Your data has never mattered more. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) isn’t just about good intentions — it is about trustworthy, transparent data that stands up to the highest standards.
All in the Data: Where Good Data Comes From
Let’s start with a truth that too many people still overlook — not all data is good data. Just because something is sitting in a database or spreadsheet doesn’t mean it’s accurate, trustworthy, or useful. In the age of AI and advanced analytics, we’ve somehow convinced ourselves that data — any data — can be automatically wrangled into insight. But the reality is, good data has a pedigree. It’s accurate, timely, relevant, consistent, and complete.
All in the Data: Data Governance in the Not-for-Profit World
Data governance in the not-for-profit (NFP) world is a lot like organizing a community fundraiser — everyone agrees it’s a great idea, but when it comes to execution, things start falling apart. There’s always that one person who swears they’re following the plan, but instead goes rogue, another who insists they’re “not a data person,” and, of course, the inevitable last-minute scramble to make sense of mismatched spreadsheets before a grant report is due.
Data Professional Introspective: The Final Retrospect
If you’ve been part of the data management and governance world for any amount of time, you’ve likely come across the sharp insights and structured thinking of Melanie Mecca. Her work has been a beacon in an industry often clouded by ambiguity, misinformation, and resistance to change. Through her regular TDAN.com columns, she didn’t just educate — she created a movement, one that championed discipline, accountability, and structured excellence in enterprise data management (EDM).
Living the Ungoverned Life
Organizations often assume they have data governance under control, but in reality, many are simply reacting to data chaos rather than actively managing it. This isn’t due to negligence or a lack of concern — rather, it’s because they don’t recognize that governance is already happening, albeit informally and inconsistently.
With Data … Being Dead is Dead: Give It a Rest
Image Licensed from Adobe Stock (#248758482) I don’t know about you, but I feel like I hear about the death or failure of something in data management and governance at least once a month. Apparently, data governance – the way it is being implemented today – is dead – again. Metadata management is on life support, and data modeling is a relic of the past. Oh, and don’t forget data warehousing – buried years ago, according to some.
Data Governance Defying Gravitas
“Defying Gravity,” the show-stopping anthem from the musical “Wicked,” captures the essence of breaking free from conventions and soaring beyond expectations. Just as Elphaba, the protagonist witch from “Wicked,” refuses to be bound by the weight of societal norms, Non-Invasive Data Governance (NIDG) offers organizations a way to defy the gravitas of traditional governance frameworks.
Data and AI Governance Without a Tool
When organizations first embark on their journey to implement data and AI governance, a common misconception is that tools are the solution. A shiny data catalogue, an advanced metadata repository, or a state-of-the-art data quality tool often becomes the goal rather than the means. But keep in mind, governance programs can thrive – or stall – whether or not you’ve got that fancy tool on hand.
All in the Data: A New Data Governance Season Is Here
As the new NFL season gets rolling, there’s a profound sense of anticipation in the air — the thrill of a fresh start, the introduction of new players, the strategic direction set by new leadership, and the unwavering commitment of management all contribute to the buzz. So, why not bring that same level of energy and enthusiasm to our data governance efforts?
Combat Governance Dilution: The CGO Solution
The term “governance” has become so widely used that it has lost much of its impact and precision. Originally, governance referred to the frameworks and processes for formalized and effective organizational control and accountability. However, its frequent and broad application across various contexts — ranging from IT to corporate, data, information, and AI governance — has diluted its effectiveness.
All in the Data: Take Data Vitamins to Improve Corporate Health
In today’s fast-paced business environment, data is often referred to as the lifeblood of an organization. Just as the human body requires vitamins to function optimally, businesses need effective data governance to ensure their operations run smoothly and efficiently. However, unlike a one-size-fits-all vitamin supplement, data governance needs to be tailored to fit seamlessly into an organization’s existing processes.
Artificial vs. Augmented Intelligence
Terms like artificial intelligence (AI) and augmented intelligence are often used interchangeably. However, they represent fundamentally different approaches to utilizing technology, especially when it comes to data governance. Understanding these differences is crucial for organizations looking to implement non-invasive and effective data governance frameworks.
Data Governance Doesn’t Have to Be Scary
The mere mention of “data governance” can send shivers down the spines of executives and employees alike. The thought of implementing stringent rules and procedures for managing data often conjures images of bureaucratic nightmares and stifled innovation. However, it doesn’t have to be this way. Contrary to popular belief, the implementation of an effective and sustainable data governance program doesn’t have to be threatening to the organization and its culture.
The Risk and Promise of AI
Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping our world, influencing everything from the way we work to the way we live. It’s like a double-edged sword, offering incredible potential while also posing significant risks. At the heart of this transformation lies data, the fuel that powers AI systems. How we manage this data can determine whether AI will be a boon or a bane for society.
All in the Data: A Steward in Need Is a Steward in Deed
You’ve probably heard the expression, “A friend in need is a friend indeed.” For this column, I am going to play with that expression to make a point. Instead of a friend, I will refer to friends as data stewards. Instead of indeed (meaning certainly), I am going to insert a space in the word and write about deeds in terms of the relationship that a data steward is expected to nurture with data once recognized into this important role. It’s all in the data.
Getting the BELT: Empowering Executive Leadership in Data Governance
The expression “Getting the Belt” has several meanings. This phrase most commonly refers to a form of corporal punishment where a belt is used by an authority figure to spank or hit someone as a punitive measure. This form of discipline is now, thankfully, regarded as inappropriate and harmful.
Stop Complaining About Your Data - And Do Something About It
Organizations are drowning in a sea of data, facing challenges that range from inconsistent quality to inefficient and ineffective management. It’s easy to complain about the state of your data, but a more productive tactic involves taking actionable steps to address these issues. Enter Non-Invasive Data Governance (NIDG) — a methodology that empowers organizations to turn complaints into solutions, fostering a culture of proactive data management.
All in the Data: The Search for Intelligent Life in Your Organization
An invisible, yet universal, force exists that is shaping the very fabric of data-driven decision-making, data practices, and operational data management functionality. This force is “informal governance,” an astral influence orchestrating the celestial bodies of an organization. Acknowledging the existence of this informal governance marks the launch of a profound journey — a quest for intelligent life within the organizational cosmos.
Where Data Governance Should Live
Determining the optimal administrative placement for a data governance program, and specifically a Non-Invasive Data Governance program, is a pivotal decision that can significantly influence its success. This critical choice often boils down to three primary areas within an organization: a specific business area, information technology (IT), or a shared services part of the organization.
Non-Invasive Data Governance – The Most Practical and Pragmatic Approach - GRC Outlook
Effective data governance is essential for organizations looking to harness the full potential of their data assets. Among the various approaches, Non-Invasive Data Governance emerges as the most pragmatic and practical choice. This approach, the approach I follow to assist organizations, prioritizes seamless integration within existing workflows, minimizing disruptions and resistance from stakeholders. Thus, the reason my first book was subtitled the way it was.
Game-Changing Data Definitions You Cannot Afford to Ignore
In today’s data-driven world, the terms “data governance” and “data stewardship” have become buzzwords, often thrown around without a clear understanding of their significance. However, defining these terms is not about adding complexity, it’s about establishing clarity and accountability and providing a sense of practicality and pragmatism.
How to Convince Stakeholders That Data Governance is Necessary
You may already have a formal Data Governance program in place. Then again, perhaps you don’t. Or … you are presently going through the process of trying to convince your Senior Leadership or stakeholders that a formal Data Governance program is necessary. Maybe you are going through the process of convincing the stakeholders that Data Governance is well worth the time and investment in terms of resources and time spent formalizing accountability for data across the organization.
Who Should Own Data Governance?
One of the first steps organizations take when preparing to deliver a data governance program is to determine where in the organization data governance should be placed. Or in other words, who should own data governance? There are typically two schools of thought: either “the business” should own data governance or IT (Information Technology) should own data governance. I answer the question of who should own data governance with a simple one word reply.
Data Governance Benefits and the Trifecta of People, Process, and Technology
A client recently asked me to summarize the benefits of data governance and the three main elements of data governance into two slides to leverage and use for an upcoming board meeting associated with their emerging program. A lot has been written about the benefits of data governance, and I am asked to articulate the benefits of the discipline by every client that is in the throes of convincing their management that data governance is necessary.
All in the Data: Elements of a Data Strategy
I published an article a few months back that was titled Where Does Data Governance Fit in a Data Strategy (and other important questions). In the article, I quickly outlined seven primary elements of a data strategy as an answer to one of the “other important questions.” The list of elements I used in that article were drawn from a list that was available through a data and analytics company called Analytics8.
Questions Metadata Can Answer
The world of information technology has “grown up” dramatically in the last twenty-five years – the term of my comparably short career. From the days of punching cards and feeding deck readers at midnight at the university computer lab to the world of dot-coms, electronic business, business intelligence, big data, artificial intelligence … one might believe that they have seen it all. But not even close … One can only imagine what the next twenty-five years have in store for us.
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