21 Common Data Governance Interview Questions in 2024

Data governance focuses on the authority, accountability, and responsible management of data within a work organization as a valued organizational asset. 

Here are 21 common data governance interview questions based on analysis. 

These questions have been compiled based on people’s experiences, professional reviews, and credible work-based applications like Glassdoor, Linkedin, Indeed.com, etc.

General Data Governance Questions

Question One: What is Data Governance?

This is one of the most asked questions during data governance interviews, mainly because there are many misconceptions and untruths about data governance.

Answer: You can go with official definitions from texts or credible sources like DAMA DMBOK.

It defined data governance as the exercise of authority, control and shared decision-making (planning, monitoring and enforcement) over the management of data assets.

Explain the term to the interviewer from the basics like they haven’t heard of the word before, preferably with an analogy to buttress your point.

Question Two: What are the Key Factors needed as a Data Governance Specialist?

Answer: Attention to detail, ability to communicate findings to other team members, patience to work on a project diligently to achieve the best.

Question Three: Do you have previous experience in this field

Answer: The interviewer wants to know about your background and how you’ve previously led data governance projects. They may also ask you to explain what you know about certain parts of data governance, such as setting standards or resolving inaccuracies. You should emphasize relevant previous work experiences in the field, no matter how little. For example, I worked as a data analyst at ABC Company for a year.

Question Four: What Practices Pose a Risk to Currently Stored Dara?

Answer: The internet and cloud access has posed a risk to currently stored data, but with comprehensive audits, good training and practices, and regulation adherence, this can be discovered early.                                                 

Question Five: What do you think is the Biggest Challenge in Data Governance?

Answer:

Author and motivational speaker Simon Sinek has made the case that a strong “why” is necessary for individuals to take positive action. Although data governance is essential, the “why” behind it is not always clear. Organizational leaders should give context to data governance projects by doing in-depth research and consulting with practitioners from all departments to find and solve the organization’s most pressing data governance problems.

Too many businesses lose precious time and money on data collection that serves neither their purpose nor their goals. Data governance is crucial to ensuring that your firm only gathers the information it needs to expand and satisfy its shareholders.

Question Six: Mention Some Benefits of Data Governance.

Answer: There are many benefits of data governance; list as many as you know. Some of the benefits include;

1. Improved decision-making; data governance makes use of a single source of data,
2. Improved efficiency due to the automation of tasks such as reporting and monitoring,
3. Reduced risk; There is tight security, and only authorised users can access the secured data.

Question Seven: What is the Cost of Implementing Data Governance?

Answer: The most accurate answer to this is, “it depends on the size and complexity of an organization”. The extent of the cost depends on the workers, technology, training, and upgrades in software.

For low-end pricing, institutions may spend around $100,000 to implement the system and $5,000 monthly to maintain it. That puts your initial investment at about $160,000, with yearly maintenance costs of around $60,000. While for high-end pricing, implementation can be around $250,000 with $25,000 in monthly charges. 

Question Eight: How can Data Governance Improve Business Performance?

Answer:

The most important benefits of data governance are that it improves data quality, lowers the costs of managing data, and makes it easier for everyone in the organization to access the data they need. It also makes it less likely that mistakes will be made and ensures clear data access rules are set, enforced, and followed.

Ultimately, better and higher quality data provided by data governance aid in improving company decision-making, which in turn leads to competitive advantages and increased profitability.

Question Nine: You are Faced With two Competing Assignments with a tight deadline; what will you do?

Answer: Complete the assignments based on their level of importance. Typically, choose one with a high priority.

Question Ten: What is the First and Second Factor you will focus on When Given a Project to Initiate?

Answer: The process of getting the team’s cooperation and planning with the team.

Data Steward Interview Questions

On the other hand, data stewardship is a branch of data governance. They are similar in functions because they both effectively focus on protecting data. 

However, data steward professionals differ from those in data governance because they implement the procedures and rules set using the data governance framework.

Here are examples of data steward interview questions;

Question One: Mention Some Data Steward Skills

Answer: effective communication and problem-solving, efficient sharing, protecting and managing client data assets.

Question Two: What do you Consider your Strengths?

Answer: This is an avenue to discuss the skills and experiences you have gathered at other companies or pitch a project you have completed. For example, I have lots of practical experience. I learn quickly, and I am good at multitasking.

Question Three: Why should we Hire You?

Answer: This is as simple as asking you to state the skills you have that are needed in the company, You can show some of your previous projects to back this up.

Question Four: What Experience do you Have with Excel and Data Analysis?

Answer: Talk about everything you know, and what you use excel for, then direct it toward data analysis. I am an expert in Excel for reporting purposes, using excel functions like Vlookup, and index match. Generally, I have about eight years of experience in excel and data experience.

Question Five: Why do You Leave your Last Company?

Answer: State the reasons why you left; it might be due to relocation purposes, a search for a better avenue and option, or an unethical work environment.

Some additional questions asked include projects from previous jobs, where you see yourself in the next ten years, what will you do if your manager asks you to submit data you don’t agree with, what do you do in your previous job, what interest you about this company and position?

Collibra Data Governance Interview

Collibra is a privately owned enterprise software and network solutions company. Here are some frequently asked questions on data governance during interviews at Collibra.

Question One: What is the difference between data governance and information governance?

Answer: Some people believe there are similarities between data governance and information governance, while others believe the terms are interchangeable. Whichever group you belong to, explain the rationale behind your thoughts briefly.

Question Two: What are the Data Governance Tools, Solutions, and Software you have used in the Past?

Answer:

Mention the software you have used to execute your projects in the past; you can also talk about how effective the tools were. Talk about the solutions you came up with to solve these issues.

For Example:

• Collibra is a cross-functional team’s best friend, as it automates data operations and ensures everyone is on the same page. You can use it for Data Stewardship, Automation of Data Governance, and Natural Language Search. Machine learning is used to power its data catalog, which can be linked to the enterprise’s glossary and governance standards.
• The OvalEdge Data Catalog is a low-priced alternative to other Data Governance options. The tool’s adaptable design makes it easy for businesses to modify it to fit their needs. You’ll get a comprehensive overview of your data with OvalEdge since it employs algorithms and user input to visualize the relationships within it.
• The Alation Data Catalog provides users with a central location from which to access a wide variety of data sets, streamlining the process of discovering the specific pieces of information they need. Alation facilitates the automation of Governance tasks like data dictionary updates and user education on sound Governance practices and provides a platform for sharing and collaboration.

Question Three: Why Are You A Good Fit For This Corporation?

Answer: Discuss your expertise and accomplishments as a data governance manager. The skills and input you bring to the company. For example, In my previous job, my duties included developing ways in which data could be handled safely and made accessible within the company. The prospect of using my skills as a data analyst excites me.

Question Four: The Concept of a Data Lineage?

Answer:

Data lineage is a visual representation that answers the question, ‘ Where does this data originate from, and where is it heading?”. It can be easily explained as the lifecycle of data providing revenue to track and manage the data origin and movement, thereby providing a means to debug the data flow process and easily track data errors to the source. 

Data lineage is important in data governance because the details obtained from it provide ways to improve risk management, data quality, privacy, and security to ensure accurate data storage within an organization.

Question Five: Explain Some Key Traits of a Good Data Governance Manager.

Answer: A good data governance manager should have good communication skills and be well-organized and meticulous. 

Other questions may include the following;

• Talk about your biggest strengths.
• Why did you choose to work in this field?
• Are you willing to relocate?
• Discuss your background and experience, etc

Conclusion

Going for an interview may be nerve-wracking, but proper preparation reduces this tension. Practicing interview questions and answers is one way to prepare for an interview.