17 Data Governance Manager Interview Questions and Answers

Data governance is the practice of managing and governing the use of data within an organization. Data governance managers are responsible for developing and implementing policies and procedures for the collection, use, storage, and disposal of data. They also work to ensure that data is accurate, consistent, and secure.

If you’re interviewing for a data governance manager position, you can expect to be asked a range of questions about your experience and expertise in data management. You’ll also need to be able to articulate how you would go about developing and implementing data governance policies and procedures. To help you prepare, we’ve gathered some of the most common interview questions for data governance managers and provided sample answers.

Are you familiar with the concept of data lineage?

Data lineage is a concept that refers to the history of data. It includes who created it, when they created it and how it was used over time. This question helps employers determine if you have experience with this important concept in data governance. In your answer, explain what data lineage is and why it’s beneficial for organizations.

Example: “Yes, I am familiar with the concept of data lineage. Data lineage allows me to see where data came from and how it has been used throughout its life cycle. This information can be very useful because it shows me which departments are using certain types of data most often. It also lets me know which data sets need to be updated or retired.”

What are some of the most important qualities for a successful data governance manager?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the qualities needed to succeed in this role. Use your answer to highlight your leadership skills, communication abilities and attention to detail.

Example: “I believe that a successful data governance manager needs to be organized, detail-oriented and able to communicate effectively with others. These three qualities are essential for ensuring that all stakeholders understand their roles within the organization’s data management system. I also think it is important to be empathetic when working as a data governance manager because you may need to explain policies or procedures to employees who may not agree with them.”

How would you go about resolving a conflict between two departments about the use of shared data?

As a data governance manager, you may be responsible for resolving conflicts between departments that use shared data. Employers ask this question to see if you have the interpersonal skills and conflict resolution experience to handle these situations effectively. In your answer, explain how you would approach this situation and what steps you would take to resolve it.

Example: “I would first meet with both parties separately to understand their concerns about using shared data. I would then create a plan to help each department use the data they need while protecting sensitive information from unauthorized access. If needed, I would also work with IT to implement new software or processes to make sure everyone can access the data they need.”

What is your process for ensuring that new data policies are clearly communicated to all employees?

The interviewer may ask this question to assess your ability to lead a team and ensure that employees understand company policies. Your answer should include steps you take to communicate with all levels of an organization, including management, data analysts and other employees who work with data.

Example: “I find it important to meet with each department within my organization to discuss new policies or changes in existing ones. I also send out email notifications about upcoming meetings so that employees can prepare for the discussion. In these meetings, I explain why we’re implementing new policies and how they will benefit the organization. This helps me build relationships with employees and ensures that everyone understands the importance of adhering to our data governance policies.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to help an organization make a data-driven decision.

This question can help the interviewer understand how you apply your skills to real-world situations. Use examples from previous work experiences that highlight your ability to use data to make decisions and support a company’s goals.

Example: “At my last job, I was working with a team of developers who were creating an app for a client. The client wanted to know if they could integrate their new product into our app without causing any issues. We used data analytics to determine what would be the best way to integrate the two products while still meeting the needs of both companies. In the end, we determined that it would be better to create a separate app for the client’s product.”

If you had to choose one area of data governance to focus on, what would it be and why?

This question is a great way to see how the candidate prioritizes their work. It also shows you what they value in data governance and why. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention an example of a time when you had to prioritize your work.

Example: “If I had to choose one area of data governance to focus on, I would probably choose data quality. This is because I believe that if we have clean data, then we can use it for many different purposes. If our data isn’t clean, then we may not get accurate results from using it. In my last role, I was tasked with creating a plan to improve the company’s data quality. I started by researching other companies who were already doing well in this area. Then, I created a training program for employees to learn about data quality best practices.”

What would you do if you noticed two departments were using different definitions for the same data term?

This question can help the interviewer assess your ability to resolve conflicts and ensure data governance standards are being followed. In your answer, describe a situation in which you helped two departments work together to define terms that were previously undefined or used differently.

Example: “In my previous role as a data governance analyst, I noticed two departments within the organization were using different definitions for the same term. After researching both department’s use of the term, I found they were referring to two different things. I worked with both departments to create a new definition for the term so it could be consistently applied across the entire company.”

How well do you understand the differences between relational, dimensional and columnar databases?

This question can help the interviewer assess your knowledge of data governance and how you apply it to different types of databases. Use examples from your experience to highlight your ability to understand these differences and use them in your work.

Example: “I have extensive experience working with relational, dimensional and columnar databases. In my last role as a data governance manager, I worked with all three types of databases on a daily basis. Relational databases are great for storing structured data that’s easy to retrieve and update. However, they’re not very effective at processing large amounts of unstructured data.

Dimensional databases are more efficient than relational databases when it comes to analyzing large amounts of data. They also provide better support for unstructured data compared to relational databases. Columnar databases excel at processing large amounts of data because they store data in columns rather than rows. This makes it easier to sort through data and find what you need.”

Do you have experience working with big data sets?

This question can help interviewers understand your experience with the type of data you’ll be working with in this role. If you have previous experience, share what kind of data you worked with and how you managed it. If you don’t have any big data experience, you can talk about smaller data sets or other types of data that you’ve worked with.

Example: “I haven’t had much experience working with big data sets, but I do have a lot of experience managing large amounts of data. In my last position, I was responsible for organizing all of our company’s customer information into one central database. This included everything from basic contact information to more complex details like purchase history and preferences.”

When performing data quality assessments, what is the minimum acceptable level you would recommend to management?

This question is a great way to determine how much you value data quality and the level of importance you place on it. It also shows your ability to make decisions that are in the best interest of the company. When answering this question, be honest about what you would recommend and why.

Example: “I believe that any data quality assessment should have at least 80% accuracy for all fields. This ensures that we’re getting accurate information from our databases and that we’re not losing valuable insights because of poor data quality. I’ve seen companies with lower standards than this, but I think it’s important to set high expectations so that we can ensure we’re using our data effectively.”

We want to improve our data governance processes to help us make better business decisions. What are some areas we could improve?

This question helps the interviewer understand your knowledge of data governance and how you can apply it to improve a company’s processes. Use examples from your previous experience or explain what areas you would focus on if you were hired for this role.

Example: “One area I would recommend improving is the communication between departments when creating policies. In my last position, we had several instances where different departments interpreted our policies differently. We created an email list that all employees could use to ask questions about our policies so they could get clarification before implementing them. This helped us avoid misunderstandings and ensure everyone was following the same guidelines.”

Describe your experience with data modeling and analysis.

This question can help the interviewer determine your experience with data governance and how you apply it to your work. Use examples from past projects that highlight your ability to analyze data, create models and implement strategies for managing information.

Example: “In my last role as a data governance manager, I worked with a team of analysts to develop a model for our company’s customer database. We used several modeling techniques to identify patterns in customer behavior and preferences so we could better understand their needs and provide more relevant products and services. This process helped us streamline our marketing efforts and increase sales by 10%.”

What makes you the best candidate for this role?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and why you are the best person for the job. Before your interview, make a list of all the skills and experiences that make you an ideal candidate. Focus on highlighting your most relevant skills and how they can benefit the company.

Example: “I am passionate about data governance and have been working in this field for five years. I have extensive experience with data management systems and know how to create effective strategies for organizing large amounts of information. My previous employers always praised my ability to organize complex databases and develop new ways to store important information.”

Which data governance frameworks are you most familiar with?

This question can help the interviewer determine your experience level with data governance frameworks. Data governance frameworks are a set of standards that organizations use to manage their data and ensure it’s accurate, consistent and reliable. When answering this question, you can list the frameworks you’re most familiar with and explain why they’re important.

Example: “I’m most familiar with the Information Governance Initiative for Enterprise Content Management (IGIE-ECM) framework and the ISO/IEC 27005 standard. The IGIE-ECM is an international standard that helps organizations develop policies and procedures for managing their data. It also provides guidelines for implementing these policies and procedures. I’ve used the IGIE-ECM in my previous role as a data governance analyst to create policies and procedures for my organization.”

What do you think is the most important thing a data governance manager can do to help an organization?

This question can help the interviewer understand your priorities and how you might approach a role like this one. Use examples from your experience to highlight what you think is most important in data governance management, and consider highlighting some of the skills that helped you achieve these results.

Example: “I believe the most important thing a data governance manager can do for an organization is create a plan for data quality. This means establishing standards for data collection, storage and analysis so that everyone knows what’s expected of them when it comes to managing information. I’ve seen firsthand how effective this strategy can be, as I implemented it at my last job and saw our company’s data accuracy improve by 20%.”

How often should data quality assessments be performed?

The interviewer may ask you this question to gauge your understanding of the frequency with which data quality assessments should be performed. Use examples from your experience to explain how often you recommend performing these assessments and why.

Example: “In my previous role, I recommended that we perform a data quality assessment every six months. This was because it allowed us to monitor our progress on improving data quality over time and helped us identify any issues before they became major problems. For example, if we had only performed a data quality assessment once per year, we might have missed some important information about the state of our data quality.”

There is a disagreement between two departments about how to use shared data to make a decision. How would you handle this?

This question can help interviewers understand how you would use your leadership skills to resolve conflicts and keep the company running smoothly. Use examples from past experience where you helped two departments work together to find a solution that everyone could agree on.

Example: “In my last role, there was a disagreement between two departments about which data they should use to make a decision. I met with both teams to discuss their concerns and explain why it’s important for them to share data so they can all have access to it. After hearing each team’s reasoning, we decided that one department would be responsible for updating the shared data regularly while the other department would only use the updated information when making decisions.”