CDS CDS Stakeholder Communication & Change Management 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the purpose of a 'data stewardship communication plan' in a governance program?
- To define the technical architecture for data storage
- To outline how, when, and to whom governance updates, decisions, and metrics will be communicated (Correct answer)
- To schedule database maintenance windows
- To document data lineage between source systems
Correct answer: To outline how, when, and to whom governance updates, decisions, and metrics will be communicated
A communication plan ensures that stakeholders receive timely, relevant governance information in formats appropriate to their roles, sustaining program visibility and trust.
Question 2: Which technique is most useful for identifying and prioritizing stakeholders in a data governance initiative?
- Entity-relationship diagram
- Stakeholder power-interest grid (Correct answer)
- Data flow diagram
- Network topology map
Correct answer: Stakeholder power-interest grid
A power-interest grid maps stakeholders by their influence and interest levels, guiding how much engagement and communication effort each group requires.
Question 3: When rolling out a new data classification policy, which training approach best ensures consistent adoption across distributed teams?
- A single all-hands webinar with no follow-up materials
- Role-based training modules with practical examples, job aids, and competency checks (Correct answer)
- Posting policy documents to the intranet without structured training
- Assigning one team member per department to read the policy independently
Correct answer: Role-based training modules with practical examples, job aids, and competency checks
Role-based training tailored with practical examples and competency checks drives consistent understanding and application across diverse teams.
Question 4: A data steward is managing resistance from a senior manager who believes the new data governance program adds bureaucracy. What is the most effective response?
- Avoid engaging with the manager and route communications through their subordinates
- Demonstrate the program's ROI with concrete examples of cost savings or risk reduction relevant to their business area (Correct answer)
- Reduce governance requirements in the manager's area to avoid conflict
- Escalate to HR for performance management
Correct answer: Demonstrate the program's ROI with concrete examples of cost savings or risk reduction relevant to their business area
Connecting governance benefits to outcomes the manager cares about — cost, risk, efficiency — converts skeptics by making value tangible and personal.
Question 5: What does 'data literacy' mean in the context of stakeholder enablement for data governance?
- The ability to read and write data using SQL
- The ability to read, understand, question, and work effectively with data in one's role (Correct answer)
- Certification in a data management framework such as DAMA-DMBOK
- Proficiency in operating ETL and BI tools
Correct answer: The ability to read, understand, question, and work effectively with data in one's role
Data literacy enables stakeholders to critically interpret data, understand quality issues, and make evidence-based decisions without requiring technical expertise.
Question 6: In change management for a data governance rollout, what is the significance of identifying 'change champions'?
- They serve as technical leads for database migration projects
- They are influential peers who advocate for the change within their teams, accelerating adoption (Correct answer)
- They are responsible for enforcing policy violations
- They manage the project budget and resource allocation
Correct answer: They are influential peers who advocate for the change within their teams, accelerating adoption
Change champions amplify governance messages through trusted peer networks, reducing resistance and accelerating cultural adoption faster than top-down mandates alone.
What is the purpose of a 'data stewardship communication plan' in a governance program?