This book isn't just a guide; it's a complete overview of the guardrails needed for a sustainable data governance framework. David doesn't just offer theory; he shares practical examples on how to put these guardrails into action. His insights are invaluable, practical, and directly applicable-a must-read for every data governance practitioner. Mathias Vercauteren, The Data Governance Advocate & President of Data Vantage Consulting "The Guardrail Hierarchy" is a compelling blend of insight, practicality, and expertise ---a must-read for every data professional seeking sustainable data governance. Robert Wentz, Senior Advisor, EDM Council Data Governance can be complicated and difficult (and as David reiterates-specific to each organization). This short text provides guardrails that should help most with the challenging task of getting organized. I plan to keep a copy handy as I recommend all organizations do. Peter Aiken, data management thoughtleader, author, and Founding Director, Anything Awesome LLC David reminds us that everyone's organization has its own culture, expectations, and attitudes toward documentation. He's also outlined a hierarchical way of thinking about, classifying, and deciding what data-related policies and other guardrails should contain. Gwen Thomas, Founder of the Data Governance Institute If you are just starting out as a Data Governance professional, or are a seasoned practitioner, you need this book as one of your references. If you're in the C-Suite, it provides a practical framework for creating and executing the Data Governance agenda in your organization. There is a lifetime of experience in these pages, and it belongs in your Data Governance toolkit. Andrew Andrews Vice President Marketing, DAMA International Regional Advocate, Australia and New Zealand, Enterprise Data Management Council. You wouldn't speed down a mountain road if it didn't have strong guardrails-why approach Data Governance any differently? We've all heard the numbers. Global data production is increasing at an exponential rate. While none of us has to deal with ALL that data, the pattern is clear: the more our business focuses on leveraging the value inherent in our data, the more data we need to manage. What most companies, large and small, regardless of business sector, need to establish is a sense of Holistic Data Governance: Data Governance that is aware of both the needs of the organization as a whole and as the sum of its parts, and that establish