signals across six governance domains
Self-assessment tool
Does your organization govern its data, or just collect it?
A quick quiz to name the patterns that show where informal practices may be replacing intentional data governance.
diagnostic tiers from emerging to breakdown
to complete, no account required
What we mean by governance
Governance is not a policy document. It is a system of accountability.
Data governance is how an organization decides what data means, who owns it, how it is used, and how responsibility is sustained over time.
Definitions and ownership
Who decides what a metric means, and who is responsible when it changes.
Decision rights
Who can act on data, escalate concerns, or resolve conflicting interpretations.
Stewardship
How your organization protects the people and communities represented in data.
Continuity
Governance that survives staff transitions, funder changes, and technology shifts.
How results are interpreted
Three tiers. Each one points somewhere specific.
The result is not a grade. It is a map of where governance gaps may be showing up.
Emerging signals
Early inconsistencies are surfacing. This is the right moment to establish intentional foundations.
Structural friction
Governance is operating informally across multiple domains. Friction is real and compounding.
Governance breakdown
Gaps are no longer isolated. Multiple domains are affected at the same time.
Assessment
How many of these apply to your organization?
Check every statement that feels familiar. There are no wrong answers, only patterns worth surfacing.
Reporting & metrics
Decision-making & ownership
Policy & operations
Data strategy & collection
Technology & AI
Institutional memory
Values & community
What comes next
Governance conversations start with honest naming.
The signals you identify are a starting point, not a verdict. If the patterns feel familiar, we can help you decide what governance design should look like next.
Start a conversation