From Data Governance to Greatness: A Q&A with Yulia Merrill, acQuire Connect 2024 Keynote Speaker

Every decision a company makes is underpinned by the quality and management of its data.

To make informed decisions, companies must cultivate clear data governance frameworks and processes that support this. While many companies are taking steps to enhance their data management, true transformation can only happen when data governance becomes embedded into its culture.

In her role at DAMA, The Global Data Management Community, as President of the Perth chapter, Yulia Merrill is at the fore of this transformation, helping companies recognise data as a key enterprise asset, and guiding them to understand, develop and refine their data management strategies.

Yulia brings more than two decades of experience in data services and IT and is passionate about helping companies improve their data quality, embed data governance principles and implement robust data protection measures.

In her keynote at this year’s acQuire Connect, “From governance to greatness: Shaping the future with today’s data”, Yulia will explore how companies are adapting and embracing data governance practices to improve their data quality, stewardship, security and compliance.

Ahead of acQuire Connect, we sat down with Yulia to discuss the challenges companies face in improving their data governance practices, the key components of a good data governance framework, and DAMA’s role in shaping the future of data management.

Yulia, as the Perth President of DAMA, how have you noticed companies adapt their data governance practices over the years?

I’ve started to see a positive shift in how companies are embracing formal data governance practices, although, this progress varies across industries.

At DAMA, ‘data governance’ is defined as an exercise of authority or control (planning, monitoring, and enforcement) over the management of data assets to ensure consistency and alignment with business goals.

While many organisations are already making informal decisions about their data, the ones moving towards formal governance are taking critical steps to become truly data-driven.

In a survey published by businesswire in 2021 that analysed the progress of companies on their data management journey spanning the last decade, only 24% of surveyed companies had forged a data-driven culture. However, in more recent years, there’s been growing recognition that robust data governance is essential, particularly for the success of AI projects.

The momentum is there, and more companies are starting to recognise that data governance is the “recipe” that brings everything together, enabling them to thrive in an increasingly data-driven world.

What is one of the biggest challenges faced by businesses working towards improving their data governance practices?

Peter Drucker’s quote, “Culture eats strategy for breakfast” perfectly highlights one of the biggest challenges businesses face in improving their data governance practices: building a culture of accountability and ownership.

When we review our bank statements to ensure our salary is correct, we’re practicing data quality management. Organisations need every employee to take similar responsibility for the accuracy of the data they handle.

Similarly, just as we make decisions about which apps can access our personal details to protect our security and privacy, businesses must foster a culture where everyone understands their role in managing data. To achieve this, organisations must embed data governance into their culture.

Without clear ownership and a culture that prioritises data governance, the system can quickly break down, leading to issues like poor data quality, security vulnerabilities, and fragmented information.

By integrating data governance into everyday practices and ensuring that everyone is accountable, organisations can address these challenges and create a robust framework for managing their data effectively.

What are the key components of a good data governance framework?

A well-designed data governance framework comprises several key components that work in harmony to deliver sustainable, positive outcomes for an organisation – these are: people, processes, technology, and culture.

At the heart of any successful framework are the people—they are the driving force behind its implementation and long-term success. No matter how sophisticated or well-thought-out the framework is, without the engagement, alignment, and buy-in of the people, it will struggle to achieve its goals. It’s essential to building a culture of accountability where everyone, from executives to entry-level employees, understands their role in managing data responsibly.

Change leadership and change management are vital in fostering this culture. This requires not only leadership from the top but also continuous involvement, communication, and education throughout the organisation.

A successful data governance framework relies on training, awareness programs, and clear communication channels to instil the importance of good data practices.

How can good data governance help organisations use their data as a valuable asset, rather than just meeting compliance requirements?

Good data governance transforms data from a compliance obligation into a strategic asset that drives better decision-making, efficiency, and innovation.

When organisations approach data governance as more than a checklist, they ensure data quality, accuracy, and consistency, empowering them to confidently use data for strategic insights that improve business outcomes.

In my own experience, treating data as an asset has delivered measurable value, and I’ve heard many similar success stories from fellow data governance enthusiasts. For example, in the insurance sector, data governance enhanced decision-making during acquisitions, while in the construction and healthcare industries, it helped secure successful tender submissions. In contractual settings, comprehensive data governance saved money by ensuring that data was not only compliant but strategically applicable.

With robust governance, data becomes easier to access, understand, and trust, enabling teams to leverage it for innovation, AI, and analytics. It breaks down silos, fosters cross-departmental collaboration, and ensures that everyone works with the same high-quality data. This leads to more informed decisions, and operational improvements—revealing the full potential of data as a valuable business asset.

What is DAMA’s role in shaping how companies manage their data?

DAMA Australia plays a vital role in helping companies manage their data by providing a structured framework, resources, and community support. Through initiatives like the Data Management Body of Knowledge (DMBoK), DAMA offers clear guidance on best practices for data governance, quality, and security, helping organisations transform data into an asset.

Here in Australia, the DAMA Australia chapters foster collaboration across industries, connecting companies with data professionals and supporting continuous learning by partnering with universities and providing access to educational resources. By promoting professional development and offering tools for effective data management, DAMA Australia helps companies build stronger data strategies, improve decision-making, and stay ahead in the evolving data landscape.

As the keynote speaker at acQuire Connect, what are you most excited to share?

As the keynote speaker at acQuire Connect, I’m most excited to share how data governance could take an organisation from ‘chaos’ to ‘governance’ to ‘greatness’—and yes, that journey includes more than just wrangling spreadsheets! Imagine a transition from Mad Max to Star Trek. My presentation, “From Governance to Greatness: Shaping the Future with Today’s Data,” explores the transformative power of data governance and its ability to turn data anarchy into a data-driven utopia.

The annual acQuire Connect Tech Summit 2024 is scheduled to take place from the 6 – 7 November in Perth, Western Australia. The summit provides an opportunity for geoscience professionals, data management experts or anyone working closely with acQuire’s software solutions experts, to come together and address current and future data management challenges. To watch Yulia’s keynote presentation alongside several other great speakers, register your seat here: https://pages.acquire.com.au/connect-tech-summit/