Data Governance Best Practice Award Guidelines

The Data Governance Best Practice Award celebrates excellence in data governance, recognising outstanding achievements in both the Individual and Team categories. Submissions will be evaluated based on the impact, innovation, and sustainability of data governance practices.

Eligibility Criteria

• Individual Category: Open to professionals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, creativity, or impact in implementing or enhancing data governance within their organisation.
• Team Category: Open to teams that have successfully delivered a project, programme, or initiative showcasing exemplary collaboration and innovation in data governance.

Submission Requirements

Each entrant must complete an online submission form and provide:

1. A detailed description of their data governance initiative.
2. Supporting evidence, such as metrics, case studies, or testimonials.
3. Responses to the category-specific questions provided below.

Assessment Questions

Individual Category

1. Personal Contribution: Describe your role in the data governance initiative. What specific challenges did you address, and what actions did you take to overcome them?
2. Innovation: How did your approach introduce new methods or improve existing data governance practices?
3. Impact: What measurable outcomes were achieved due to your efforts (e.g., improved data quality, compliance, or business efficiency)?
4. Sustainability: How have you ensured the long-term success and scalability of your initiative?
5. Leadership and Influence: Provide examples of how you inspired or educated others in your organisation about the importance of data governance.

Team Category

1. Project Overview: Describe the data governance project or initiative your team implemented. What were its objectives and scope?
2. Collaboration: How did your team collaborate effectively to deliver this project? Provide examples of cross-functional teamwork or stakeholder engagement.
3. Innovation and Creativity: What innovative solutions or practices were introduced as part of the project?
4. Impact and Outcomes: Outline the key results and benefits achieved (e.g., compliance improvements, cost savings, risk reduction).
5. Scalability and Replicability: How could your project be scaled or replicated in other areas or organisations?
6. Challenges and Learnings: What challenges did the team face, and how were they addressed? What key lessons were learned?

Judging Criteria

Submissions will be scored against the following criteria:

• Clarity of Submission: Well-articulated responses with clear and concise information.
• Innovation: Introduction of novel ideas or significant enhancements to data governance practices.
• Impact: Evidence of tangible and measurable results.
• Collaboration (Team Category): Demonstrated teamwork and stakeholder engagement.
• Sustainability: Long-term viability and scalability of the initiative.
• Leadership (Individual Category): Evidence of inspiring change and influencing best practices.

Submission Process

• Deadline for submissions: Friday 6^th February 2026
• Winners will be announced at the Data Governance, AI Governance, and Master Data Management Conference Europe, on the 23rd March 2025 in central London.

For further queries, contact Shane McGlynn, shane@irmuk.co.uk