Data governance for SMEs: structure without bureaucracy

Data governance scares SMEs. They think it's a bureaucratic process reserved for large enterprises with dedicated teams.

It's not.

Data governance for an SME is simply: knowing where your data is, who has access, and how it's used.

Why data governance matters

Without governance: - Your data turns into chaos - You can't trust the reports - You don't comply with regulations (GDPR, etc.) - You can't use AI effectively

The 3 pillars of lightweight data governance

1. Cataloging

Inventory your data. Where is it? What does it contain? Who uses it?

2. Quality

Set up simple cleaning and validation rules.

3. Access

Define who can access what. It's a security and compliance matter.

How to start

Week 1: Catalog your data Week 2: Define data owners Week 3: Set up access rules Week 4: Document everything

That's it. No need for complex tools. A simple spreadsheet works at the start.

Tools you can use

• Cataloging: Google Sheets, Notion
• Quality: Google Sheets, SQL
• Access: Your existing tools (Google Workspace, Microsoft 365)

Data governance isn't a one-shot project. It's a continuous practice. But the benefits are worth it.