Health Data Governance Framework
The Data Governance Framework (DGF) is
being used at Monash University to better manage data in health research
activities and ensure it is translated into practice. It was endorsed by the Helix Steering Committee in November 2018. There are many definitions of ”Governance” but ultimately these
are the systems in place to control how things are done – the rules, if you
like. The Data Governance
Framework is the articulation of how
all research data activities will be undertaken.
At the heart of the DGF is
Michael Porter’s (1985) value-chain approach to strategy development
that “disaggregates an organisation into its strategically relevant
activities and provides a systematic way of examining all the activities…and
how they interact”.
When the value chain
approach is applied to the research task, all the data activities required to
answer the research question can be described in the seven value chain steps;
from defining the purpose of the data through to reporting of the data.
This dis-aggregation provides an effective basis for defining the
“rules” for how these data activities should be undertaken. Language, policies, procedures, guidelines,
tools, templates, training and guides can then be developed that take a
consistent and well-governed approach.
