The metadata (r)evolution

Metadata is at the heart of unified governance.What started as simple descriptors – file names, sizes and types — metadata is now leveraged for managing data lineage, data quality, data governance and much more.

Metadata serves multiple purposes including:

Search and discovery: Like an advanced library catalog, metadata makes it easier to find the right data
Data governance: Metadata provides insights into data ownership, usage policies and helps maintain data quality
Data lineage: Metadata offers a clear picture of data’s journey, revealing how it’s been transformed, combined or processed over time

Active metadata: More than descriptions

Active metadata is designed to make metadata more actionable and integrated into data processes. Active metadata goes beyond static descriptions. It’s dynamic, reflecting real-time changes in data. As you add new data sources or as data relationships change, active metadata adapts to offer the most current view of your data landscape.

Why is metadata so important? Here’s why:

Informed decisions: Make better decisions based on a more accurate and complete understanding of data
Efficiency: Minimize time lost searching for the right dataset or trying to decipher what a data point means
Trust: Know the lineage and quality of your data so you can be confident that you’re working with reliable, up-to-date data
Compliance: Especially in regulated industries, metadata helps ensure data handling and usage comply with relevant policies and regulations

Data cloud migration and unified governance

More than 85% of organizations will embrace cloud-first as a principle by 2025, according to Gartner.* And many will embark on a data cloud migration. The move to the cloud is often a catalyst for considering a unified governance solution. However, while the cloud promises compelling benefits from unlimited scale to seamless connectivity, the reality is more nuanced. Organizations are discovering that successful cloud adoption isn’t just about lifting and shifting data—it’s about transforming how data is governed so your technical and business users can trust, consume and comply with reliable, high-quality data.

Common challenges for migrations include:

Prioritizing technical moves over business outcomes
Fragmented governance that creates blind spots and control gaps

Lift-and-shift approaches that result in cloud-based data swamps
Siloed ownership models that limit strategic visibility and value

Rather than treating governance as an afterthought, leading organizations are using it as the foundation for successful cloud migration. A unified governance framework provides enterprise-wide visibility, active connections between business context and technical assets, automated controls that scale with cloud adoption and clear lineage from on-prem through cloud transformation.

This comprehensive approach ensures cloud migration becomes an opportunity to strengthen governance rather than fragment it even more. Organizations that embrace unified governance as part of their cloud strategy position themselves to realize the full transformative potential of cloud adoption while maintaining visibility and control.

Learn more about our proven framework for cloud migration success in our ‘Data cloud migration’ ebook.

Data cloud migration readiness checklist

Make sure your organization is prepared for data cloud migration. Our checklist covers the essential questions you should be asking before embarking on a data cloud migration journey.

Download the checklist

Getting smart about your unified governance decision

You’ve decided a governance solution is right for your organization. Now, how do you make the right decision to best serve your organizational needs? What should you expect to find in a solution that meets your current needs and can adapt to future growth?

The process of making a decision starts with thinking through the pros and cons of a platform versus a point solution. Although point solutions may seem sufficient, growing organizations often need platforms that can scale with increased data loads and more complex operations.

So how do I decide what choice is right? (Hint: It’s a platform.)

Assess your immediate and future needs: While point solutions might seem adequate now, think about your growth trajectory and future requirements.

Consider integration capabilities: A platform offers seamless integration among its components, saving time and reducing complexities.

Do a cost-benefit analysis: Though platforms might look to be costlier initially, in the long run, they might prove to be more cost-effective than juggling multiple point solutions.

The pros and cons of platform versus point solutions

Platform

solution

Point

solution

Pros

Comprehensive solution
Integrated components for seamless operation
Initial setup requires planning but is manageable with the right strategy
While comprehensive, it can scale to suit smaller operations
Potentially higher upfront investment balanced by long-term value

Tailored for specific needs
Scalable and can grow with an organization

Can lead to fragmented data strategies
Integration challenges with other tools
Might require multiple vendors, leading to complexity

Cons

Often easier to implement than a full platform
Might be better for small-scale operations

Building a data strategy that’s right for you

When you’re getting prepared to implement your governance solution, make sure you follow these critical steps to ensure you make the right decisions.

Understand your business goals: Align your data strategy with what your organization aims to achieve
Assess data maturity: Know where you stand in terms of data infrastructure and what gaps you need to fill
Stakeholder collaboration: Engage with all relevant stakeholders, from IT to business leaders, to get a comprehensive understanding of needs

The pros and cons of platform versus point solutions

Unified governance isn’t just a collection of tools—it’s an integrated fabric that enables organizations to move with confidence and speed. The key components work in concert to create a foundation that accelerates innovation while ensuring safety at scale.

Data catalog: An organized inventory of data assets that empowers stakeholders to find and use the right data
Data governance: The business glossary and data stewardship tools needed to support organizational practices that define data ownership and ensure trust in your data
AI governance: The application of rules, processes and responsibilities to drive maximum value by ensuring streamlined, ethical AI practices that mitigate risk and protect privacy
Data privacy: A tool to ensure sensitive data is protected and compliance with data protection regulations is maintained
Policy control center: A centralized location to define, enforce, and monitor data access and usage policies across the organization
Data lineage: A visual representation of data flow, helping to manage the origin, transformation and consumption of data
Data quality & observability: A solution for achieving high-quality, accurate and consistent data as well as insights into data health

By understanding the components of a unified governance platform and aligning your organization’s needs with what’s available in the market, you can make an informed decision on the right solution.