We wouldn’t drive a car for years without maintenance. Regular servicing, oil changes, and safety checks keep it reliable and roadworthy. But maintenance alone isn’t enough — the driver also needs to know how to use the controls, read the dashboard, and respond to changing conditions. A well-maintained car in the hands of an unprepared driver still leads to trouble.

The same applies to your organisation’s data; Traditional, data governance has focused on keeping the “engine” of data compliant and under control. But in today’s fast-paced, data-driven world, that’s not enough. Trusted Enablement of Data and Users (TEDU) is a highly effective and outcome focused people-first approach to ensuring data is not only reliable and secure, but also actionable and trusted by those who use it.

Business Users: The High Stakes of Neglecting Trusted Enablement of Data and Users (TEDU)

For business users, the risks of poor TEDU are stark:

Regulatory Penalties - Non-compliance with data protection laws can result in hefty fines and legal repercussions. Major Australian Telco (2022): Data breach exposed personal details of over 10 million customers. Estimated costs exceeded $140 million including remediation, fines, and brand damage.

Reputational Damage - Data breaches erode customer trust and tarnish brand reputation. Major Australian Health Insurance (2022): Sensitive data of 9.7 million customers accessed. Estimated total cost exceeded $250 million, including breach response, legal, and compliance costs.

Operational Inefficiencies - Without proper TEDU, businesses face redundant processes and disjointed operations. Tesco’s massive data handling inefficiencies cost the company millions in operational expenses and lost sales opportunities.

Technical Users: The Dangers of Poor Data Management

Technical users face significant challenges without robust trusted data enablement and governance:

Data Quality Issues - Inaccurate, inconsistent, and unreliable data hampers analytics and decision-making. Up to 30% of operating revenue can be lost due to poor data quality and governance issues (IBM estimate).

Increased Security Vulnerabilities - Weak governance frameworks leave organisations exposed to cyber threats and data breaches. The 2017 Equifax breach, resulting from poor data security practices, exposed the personal information of 147 million people, costing the company over $1.4 billion in settlements and fines.

Stifled Innovation - Without a solid governance foundation, advanced analytics and AI projects are at risk. High-quality, governed data is essential for driving innovation and staying competitive. Gartner estimates that poor data quality costs organisations an average of $12.9 million per year.

Data Users: The Impact of Unreliable Data Access

For data users, the absence of "Trusted Data Enablement" leads to:

Inconsistent Data Access - Users struggle to access reliable, timely data, impacting their ability to make informed decisions. The flawed rollout of the UK’s Universal Credit system was plagued by inconsistent data access, leading to delays and widespread public dissatisfaction.

Decreased Accountability - Without clear data ownership and stewardship, accountability suffers. Users are left uncertain about data sources and quality, leading to mistrust and hesitancy in data utilisation. The fallout from Boeing’s 737 Max crashes revealed significant lapses in data accountability and governance within the company.

Suboptimal Decision-Making - Unreliable data directly affects decision-making processes, resulting in poor business outcomes and missed opportunities. The mismanagement of data in the Flint water crisis led to disastrous health outcomes and a massive loss of public trust.

Making the Case for Trusted Data Enablement: Strategies for Success

To highlight the critical need for TEDU, consider these strategies:

Communicate Risks and Consequences - Clearly articulate the potential penalties, financial losses, and reputational damage associated with poor data governance. Use real-world examples to underscore the urgency.

Demonstrate Tangible Benefits - Showcase how TEDU leads to compliance, operational efficiency, and competitive advantage. Use case studies and success stories to provide concrete evidence.

Engage Leadership - Secure strong support from leadership to champion TEDU initiatives. Leaders should communicate its importance and integrate enablement into the organisation’s strategic priorities.

Implement Pilot Projects - Start with pilot projects to demonstrate the practical benefits of TEDU . Use these successes to build momentum and gain broader organisational buy-in.

Visualise Impact - Use quantitative and qualitative metrics in dashboards, visualisations, and before-and-after comparisons to make the benefits of TEDU tangible and understandable.

TEDU is not just a technical necessity; it’s a strategic imperative. By addressing the specific needs of business, technical, and data users, and by clearly communicating the risks of neglect, we can drive home the importance of data governance. It’s time to prioritise it today for a more secure, efficient, and competitive tomorrow.

Hope you got some value from this insight and it resolves some of challenges and helps you achieve your strategic goals.

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