The Data Governance Coach: From Data Error to Insight

In the world of enterprise AI, the pressure on data has changed. What used to be “good enough” now gets amplified by faster decisions, and therefore, faster mistakes. Governance is fundamental in ensuring data trust and integrity. In this episode of The AI Forecast, Paul Muller sits down with The Data Governance Coach, Nicola Askham, to share her pragmatic perspective and assert that governance only delivers value when it’s simple enough for people to use and embedded into day-to-day work.

Here’s what business leaders need to know:

• Why data governance has shifted from compliance to value creation
• How AI is raising the stakes for data quality and trust
• Practical ways to start and scale governance without overengineering it
• Why data governance is more about people than technology
• Common anti-patterns, from “IT-owned governance” to overly complex frameworks
• The role of data literacy and communication in driving adoption
• How to design fit-for-purpose frameworks that evolve with the organization

Nicola’s advice is refreshingly direct: start small, keep it simple, and focus on outcomes. In a world shaped by AI, governance evolves alongside the business, sharpening decision-making and protecting against costly mistakes.

For more on data governance, listen to Ep 68 | Agentic AI Is Forcing a Governance Reset.

Stay in touch with Nicola:

Nicola Askham on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolaaskham/

Nicola’s website: https://www.nicolaaskham.com/

Nicola’s book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Effective-Data-Governance-Framework-Organization-ebook/dp/B0FY7KWSM8?ref_=ast_author_dp&th=1&psc=1

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