Data governance in the world of constituent relationship management

Constituent relationship management (CoRM) systems are increasingly being adopted in higher education to manage the constituent experience and ultimately grow revenue and support. As institutions move from transaction-based enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems to constituent-based relationship management systems, there is a need for a uniform understanding of the data in a shared information environment. This, coupled with the growth of analytics and data-informed decision-making, requires a structured programme to effectively manage information and its consistent use throughout the institution. Data governance provides the discipline to nurture a common understanding of the data, its consumption and protection as an organisational asset. This paper defines basic CoRM concepts, their benefits to advancement departments and more broadly across higher education institutions. Data governance is explained, in the context of individual constituents and the more complex corporate partnerships. Essential data governance tools and concepts, such as the data dictionary and master data management, are covered, including examples. Ways in which the benefits of data governance can be measured and quantified, especially when justifying a new effort, are explained. While the focus is on higher education and advancement, these concepts can be applied more broadly to any organisation.