ABSTRACT
In supporting the need to manage the data resource an organisational structure requires to be developed for it to succeed. It must be acknowledged that for any Data Management (DM) initiative must have a formal and recognised sponsor or customer within the organisational hierarchy. Before considering the types of authority that are necessary for effective fulfilment of DM it must first be clearly understood what “culture” exists within the organisation. Examination of the existing organisational culture will help determine the likely scope of authority, and the impact of DM, whilst the types of authority required to be given to, and exhibited by, DM are referenced below: Political, Financial/budgetary, Educational and marketing, and Audit, control and maintenance. To address the authority issue effectively a Data Charter is required. Papers on, and approaches to the concept of, valuing data, are available and will add to argument of properly managing data as a resource.
