ADG 6: Scaling Data Governance

Alex Leigh

October 22 2025

4 min read

At the start of 2025, we ran the Agile Data Governance (ADG) webinar series.  In this collection of short articles, we’re going to look back at each one to summarise the most important takeaways. It’s been fun going back after a few months to see if there’s anything we missed or even forgotten!

ADG 6 - Scaling Data Governance

Overview:

Strategies for growing data governance initiatives.

Key Points:

• Expanding governance practices.

• Engaging more stakeholders.

• Building a pilot project.

Scaling Data Governance – quality over speed!

Implementing data governance can feel like a big, complex challenge, but it doesn’t have to be that way. In our previous blog, we explored how institutions can begin small and gradually build a viable and sustainable governance capability. This time we set out the important points to scaling data governance, with practical advice for making real progress without burning out.

Start small but think big.

The best way to begin is by picking manageable starting points. These could be:

• Quick wins—like improving data for student planning or statutory returns. We’ve said before quick wins need to be treated with caution! But focussing on something important and urgent is a great way to get the capability noticed.

• Pilot projects—small experiments to test governance capability. Generally lower risk than above but can still have a good impact if it’s made clear what the capability has brought to the project.

• Joining existing initiatives—embedding governance into ongoing data-heavy work. Often this is back to statutory returns but also consider major upgrade projects such as student record or other enterprise systems.

You don’t have to choose just one. Many institutions mix and match these approaches, using each experience to build confidence and evolve capability. The important thing is to keep moving and make sure every effort contributes to the data governance operating model (DGOM) —a single model where roles, rules, guidance, training, and terminology are documented and improved.

This model grows over time. Each project adds a piece to the puzzle, helping you move toward a more complete, institution-wide approach.

Data Governance is a team sport!

Scaling governance isn’t about systems first—it’s about building lasting relationships. So consider partnering with:

• People who understand the value of data and understand the issues they want help fixing to improve it.

• Partners in IT, cybersecurity, and Data Protection- the other lenses of data

• Influencers across the institution- we don’t like the word, but increasingly there are people at the university who are seen as data visionaries. We need to ensure they understand the value of clean and trusted data sources.

DG teams (even if it’s just a team of one!)  should be visible, helpful, and clear about how they support others. It’s not about controlling data—it’s about helping people navigate it better.

To grow your reach, ask yourself three key questions:

1. Who can help us expand?Look for people with wide networks who can champion your work in new areas. Use successful projects as examples to show what DG can do.

2. How do we get in the room?Be ready to explain how and why governance helps. Share results, even from small wins, and make it easy for others to see the value.

3. How do we connect with what matters most?Align your work with the institution’s top priorities—especially those tied to key performance indicators (KPIs). If you’ve improved data that supports a KPI, tell that story.

Resist the urge to go too fast

It’s exciting when DG gains traction—but growing too quickly can cause problems. You might:

• Stretch your team too thin (especially again if there is just one of you)

• Lose clarity in your messaging trying to be all things to all people

• Struggle to maintain relationships you’ve already put in time to build.

To avoid this, scale with intention. Focus on what matters most, plan your next steps, and don’t try to do everything at once. It’s better to grow steadily than to overpromise and underdeliver.

Use evidence and stories to gain traction

When trying to engage new teams or leaders, case studies are your best friend. They show what DG has achieved and how it can help others. Whether you’re scaling slowly or quickly, real examples build trust and spark interest.

Don’t worry if it doesn’t always go to plan. It’s always worth taking a step back to consider:

• Whether the approach to starting small needs to change

• Which scaling methods worked best, and how can we do more of them

• How the institutions’ current objectives can be supported by the DG capability.

  
  

Final Thoughts

We make no apologies for repeating that building a data governance capability is a journey. It starts with small wins, grows through strong relationships, and succeeds when it’s aligned with what your institution cares about most. By staying focused, sharing evidence, and building trust, you can create a governance capability that truly makes a difference.

The next session in the series will dive into common pitfalls in data governance—and how to avoid them.

If you’d like to learn more how to successfully scale DG, do get in touch at hello@ed-connect.co.uk