Do Data Products need owners?

Data products indeed require owners to ensure that they are effectively managed, maintained, and utilized within an organization. The owner of a data product is typically responsible for overseeing its quality, accessibility, and relevance to the organization’s goals. This stewardship is critical because data products can have significant implications for decision-making, value generation, and compliance with regulations.

Having an owner helps to clearly define accountability and responsibility, ensuring that the data product is aligned with business objectives, kept up-to-date, and that any updates or changes are governed by someone who understands both the technical and business aspects of the data. Moreover, owners can facilitate communication about the data product, advocate for necessary resources, and steer initiatives that leverage the product to drive insights and innovation.

In contrast, the assertions that data products do not need owners, or that only specific datasets require ownership, undermine the principle of governance that is vital in data management. Regulatory compliance does necessitate ownership, but ownership encompasses much more than just compliance; it involves strategic alignment and operational effectiveness.