Transforming Data Governance Strategy for a Leading Convenience Retailer

Background:

7-Eleven operates in a sector where consumer data is integral to business operations. With the enactment of the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), the company faced significant regulatory requirements related to the handling, storage, and processing of personal data belonging to California residents.

Challenges:

The client faced several critical issues with their data governance:

• Inconsistent Data Standards: Data definitions and quality varied across regions, causing inefficiencies in reporting and analytics.
• Compliance Risks: Increasing regulatory requirements, including GDPR and CCPA, made data privacy and security compliance difficult to maintain.
• Lack of Centralized Governance: Data was siloed in multiple systems, and governance policies were not uniformly applied across business units.
• Low Data Trust: Decision-makers lacked confidence in the data due to poor quality, duplication, and unclear ownership.

Solution:

Data Ninjas partnered with the client to deliver a tailored Data Governance Advisory and Strategy solution:

1. Current State Assessment
   We conducted a detailed audit of the client’s data landscape, assessing data quality, data flows, governance practices, and regulatory compliance gaps. This involved workshops with key stakeholders to identify pain points and business priorities.

2. Data Governance Framework Design
   We designed a centralized data governance framework based on industry best practices. This included:

   • Standardized Data Definitions to ensure consistency across regions.
   • Clear Data Ownership and Stewardship Roles for accountability.
   • Policies for Data Quality, Privacy, and Security to ensure ongoing compliance.

3. Compliance and Privacy Roadmap
   We developed a roadmap for ensuring ongoing compliance with global data privacy regulations (GDPR, CCPA, and others). This included processes for data classification, access controls, and audit trails.

4. Change Management and Training
   To ensure adoption, we rolled out a change management program, providing training for data stewards, analysts, and leadership on the new governance policies and practices.

Results

• Improved Data Quality: Standardized data definitions reduced errors and duplication by 45%.
• Enhanced Compliance: Achieved compliance with GDPR and CCPA regulations, reducing regulatory risk.
• Centralized Governance: A unified governance framework streamlined data processes across all business units.
• Increased Data Trust: Stakeholder confidence in data improved significantly, accelerating data-driven decision-making.