Here’s how one manufacturing CIO made governance stick.
Instead of launching a full-scale initiative across every unit, she started with a single line of business. It was an area where data quality was visibly affecting operations. With clear metrics, defined ownership, and a focused rollout, the team delivered results within months. They avoided overwhelming teams and didn’t over invest in tools. Value was proven first, and the model expanded from there.
This approach is not just efficient. It is sustainable.
Organizations that start small and scale gradually avoid the disruption that often comes with large-scale governance rollouts. They build buy-in, test policies in real conditions, and mature their frameworks over time.
Starting with focused initiatives creates a stronger foundation for long-term governance.
When you begin small, you can:
According to Forbes (2024), starting small helps align governance efforts with business outcomes rather than forcing compliance as the primary goal. When the effort connects to real problems, adoption increases.
A scalable governance strategy requires structure and intention. Here’s how to approach it:
Begin in an area where governance clearly improves business performance. This might be regulatory compliance, customer data accuracy, or supply chain visibility. Use cases with immediate operational value will accelerate support from stakeholders.
Once the initial rollout is working, bring in additional datasets, teams, or tools. Each phase should build on what you’ve learned and avoid introducing too much change at once.
Use governance platforms like Collibra to monitor adoption and track quality improvements. Key metrics may include data consistency, reduction in manual fixes, or audit-readiness scores. Use this data to inform the next phase.
Scaling gradually is the final piece in a governance strategy. This approach builds on insights shared on different blogs, from '’ Prioritize Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery’’ to ‘’Appoint Data Governance Experts or Teams’’.
Trying to govern everything at once increases complexity and slows down adoption.
By starting small and scaling with intention, you create a governance model that grows with your business, fits your people, and delivers consistent results over time.
Galson Research helps leadership teams implement data governance frameworks that work in the real world.
Reach out to see how we support scalable, strategy-aligned governance programs.