Data Governance Interview Questions and Answers

General Questions:

1. What is data governance and why is it important?

o Answer: Data governance is the overall management of the availability, usability,

integrity, and security of the data employed in an organization. It ensures that data is
consistent, trustworthy, and not misused. It's important because it helps organizations
make better decisions, comply with regulations, reduce risk, and ensure data quality.

2. Can you explain the key components of a data governance framework?

o Answer: Key components include:

 Data Stewardship: Assigning responsibility for data to ensure proper handling.

 Data Quality: Ensuring data accuracy, completeness, and reliability.

 Data Policies and Standards: Establishing rules and guidelines for data
management.

 Data Privacy and Security: Protecting sensitive data and ensuring compliance
with regulations.

 Data Architecture: Designing and managing the data infrastructure.

 Data Lifecycle Management: Managing data from creation to deletion.

3. Describe your experience with data governance tools.

o Answer: I have experience with various data governance tools such as Collibra,
Informatica, and Alation. These tools help in cataloging data, managing metadata,
ensuring data quality, and implementing data policies.

Technical Questions:

4. How do you approach data quality issues in a large dataset?

o Answer: I start with data profiling to understand the quality issues. Then, I define data
quality rules and use tools to identify and correct errors. I implement continuous
monitoring to ensure data quality standards are maintained.

5. What methods do you use to ensure data privacy and compliance with regulations like GDPR
or CCPA?

o Answer: I implement data masking and encryption for sensitive data, enforce access
controls, and ensure proper data handling processes are in place. Regular audits and
compliance checks are also critical to ensure adherence to regulations.

6. Can you explain the role of metadata in data governance?

 o Answer: Metadata provides context about the data, such as its origin, structure, and
usage. It helps in data discovery, understanding data lineage, ensuring data quality, and
maintaining consistency across the organization.

Behavioral Questions:

7. Describe a time when you had to implement a data governance program. What were the
challenges and how did you overcome them?

o Answer: In my previous role, I implemented a data governance program to improve data

quality and compliance. Challenges included resistance to change and a lack of data
stewardship. I overcame these by conducting training sessions, highlighting the benefits
of data governance, and securing executive support.

8. How do you handle conflicts between different departments regarding data ownership and
access?

o Answer: I facilitate discussions to understand each department's needs and concerns. I

work towards a consensus by defining clear data ownership roles and access policies
that balance data accessibility with security.

Strategic Questions:

9. How do you align data governance initiatives with business objectives?

o Answer: I ensure that data governance initiatives support business goals by collaborating
with stakeholders to understand their needs and priorities. I align data policies and
standards with these objectives to ensure that data is leveraged effectively for decision-
making.

10. What steps would you take to create a data-driven culture in an organization?

o Answer: I would promote data literacy through training and awareness programs,
highlight the value of data in achieving business goals, and ensure that data governance
policies are well-communicated and integrated into daily operations. Encouraging data
stewardship and providing tools for data access and analysis are also essential steps.