Data Stewardship Body of Knowledge (DSBOK), by Dave Wells
Elevate your data from scattered and uncertain to trusted and strategic with the definitive Data Stewardship Body of Knowledge (DSBOK).
1.1 Definitions
1.2 Data Stewardship Purpose
1.3 Data Stewardship Organizations
1.4 Data Stewardship Staffing
1.5 Organizational Challenges for Data Stewardship
1.6 Data Steward Characteristics
1.7 Stewardship Metrics and Measures
1.8 Stewardship Tools and Technologies
2.1 People Skills
2.2 Work Management Skills
2.3 Information Management Skills
3.1 Metadata Concepts
3.2 Metadata Governance
3.3 Metadata Repositories and Tools
3.4 Metadata Management Architecture
4.1 Data Quality Management Basics
4.2 Data Quality Concepts and Principles
4.3 Data Quality Dimensions
4.4 Data Quality in IT Processes
4.5 Data Quality for Structured Data
4.6 Data Quality for Semi-Structured Data
4.7 Data Quality for Unstructured Data
4.8 Measuring and Managing Data Quality
5.1 Data Definition and Quality
5.2 Policy and Protection
5.3 Collaboration and Culture
6.1 Data Governance Basics
6.2 Scope of Governance
6.3 Policy Management
6.4 Governance Roles and Responsibilities
6.5 Data Governance Processes
6.6 Data Governance and Enterprise Governance
6.7 Leadership and Maturity
7.1 Data Design and Quality
7.2 Data Storage and Access
7.3 Data Creation and Consumption
8.1 Data Integration
8.2 Data Interoperability
8.3 Comparing Integration and Interoperability
9.1 Data Capabilities
9.2 Data Literacy
9.3 Data Ethics
9.4 Data Orientation and Adoption
9.5 Data Value
10.1 Master Data Management Basics
10.2 Master Data Management Processes
10.3 Reference Data Management Basics
10.4 Reference Data Management Processes
11.1 Types of Data and Information
11.2 Types of Data Stores
11.3 Data Architecture and Design
11.4 Types of Databases
11.5 Common Uses of Data
11.6 Business Data Flow
12.1 What is AI/ML?
12.2 AI/ML and Data Quality
12.3 Ethics and Responsible AI
12.4 Governance and Stewardship Boundaries
12.5 Regulations and Standards
The Data Stewardship Body of Knowledge (DSBOK) is the trusted guide for data stewards, data governance leaders, and managers who need to ensure data is accurate, well-defined, protected, and responsibly used. Covering the essential domains of data quality, metadata management, governance, interoperability, and culture, this reference equips you to build strong stewardship programs and drive value from information across the enterprise. Whether you are a full-time data steward, a business professional tasked with part-time stewardship responsibilities, or an executive supporting data initiatives, this book provides the clarity and structure you need to succeed.
Inside, you’ll find comprehensive coverage of stewardship fundamentals, from definitions, skills, and organizational models to the tools, technologies, and metrics that measure success. The DSBOK outlines practical frameworks for managing data quality across structured, semi-structured, and unstructured sources, explains how to use data catalogs, glossaries, and lineage tools, and connects stewardship practices with enterprise data governance, regulatory compliance, and AI/ML ethics. With real-world insights and structured guidance, it serves as both a learning map for individuals and a planning framework for organizations.
Each chapter provides actionable context—what a stewardship area is, why it matters, and what knowledge is most relevant—without overwhelming you with unnecessary detail. From data literacy and ethics to master data management, interoperability, and governance maturity, the book highlights the scope of stewardship so you can identify the right priorities for your role or team.
More than a manual, this book is a companion for building a culture of accountability, collaboration, and trust in data. It gives you the language to engage with both business and technical stakeholders, the tools to advocate for responsible practices, and the perspective to align stewardship with organizational goals.
Dave Wells is a data management consultant and educator with experience across a broad spectrum of data management processes and practices. As a consultant he provides advice, direction, and guidance for data architecture, data quality, data governance, data integration, and data interoperability. As an educator, he is the Director of Education and an instructor at eLearningCurve and instructor for a variety of courses at Dataversity. Several decades of information systems, data management, and business management experience give Dave a well-balanced perspective about the synergies of business, information, data, and technology. Knowledge sharing and skills building are Dave’s passions, carried out through consulting, speaking, teaching, and writing.
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