What does data governance primarily refer to?

Data governance primarily refers to the management of data availability and integrity within an organization. This entails establishing policies and standards for how data is handled, ensuring that data is accurate, available, and secure throughout its lifecycle. Data governance frameworks often address aspects such as data quality, data stewardship, compliance with regulations, and the roles and responsibilities of individuals and teams involved in data management.

The focus on availability means that data should be easily accessible to those who need it, while integrity emphasizes that the data should be accurate and reliable. This ensures that decisions made based on the data are sound and that stakeholders can trust the information they are using.

In contrast, the other options relate to specific aspects of data management but do not encapsulate the broader, strategic view that data governance represents. For example, processes like data collection and storage are vital components of data management but fall under the operational aspects rather than governance. Similarly, data analysis and visualization tools are important for utilizing data, yet they do not address the overarching policies and responsibilities associated with data governance.