5 reasons for an IT auditor to become a Data Governance Consultant

At Datashift, we’ve helped clients in various markets successfully implement Data Governance projects. As Data Governance runs through all levels of an organization, such projects require our consultants to combine great people and project management abilities with a thorough understanding of a client’s IT landscape, processes and requirements.

If you’ve been part of IT audit engagements over the past years, there’s no doubt you’ve developed such professional qualities while working behind the scenes in IT departments. But what if you could work with your clients in project mode and build on those skills to solve their business issues?

My move from an IT auditor to a Data Governance Consultancy career has provided me with the opportunity to step to the front and do just that! Ready to learn from my experience? Let me give you five reasons to become a Data Governance Consultant at Datashift.

1. Leverage your broad experience with complex IT systems, applications and processes

What kind of data does a client have? Who exactly is responsible for this data? Which processes have been implemented to manage this data? As a skilled IT auditor, you have the background to handle these questions. And while every client has a unique data landscape, you’ve learned that similarities are found everywhere – helping you leverage your knowledge from one project to the next one.

Furthermore, a large part of any IT audit focuses on the processes and controls implemented on financially relevant applications, such as Identity and Access Management controls, Change Management controls and Computer Operations controls.

For me, this broad experience with applications and processes proved to be very handy as a Data Governance Consultant. Sure, it helped me better understand my client’s requirements and translate them into sound solutions. But even more importantly, it provided me with the backbone to go far beyond technology matters, and turn data into an asset by balancing technologies, people and processes.

2. Step to the front, and work with your clients in project mode

Being part of a successful audit engagement not only requires solid technical skills, but great people and project management abilities as well. As an IT auditor, you need to identify the application owners and key stakeholders whose input is indispensable for the audit engagement. But that is just one part of the story. Being able to explain the ‘Why’ behind the audit procedures and engaging stakeholders to contribute to the project often prove to be far more important.

Nevertheless, an IT audit mainly involves working behind the scenes of the IT department. As a consultant, on the other hand, I get the opportunity to work with my clients in project mode and collaborate with them on solving their business issues. As a Data Governance consultant, I can genuinely impact my client’s entire organization since data is without any doubt their most important asset.

3. Create value for your client, and increase your impact

Working as an IT auditor can be an excellent way to kick-start your career. But while you get the opportunity to work for some of the country's biggest clients and meet with a lot of smart people, your work essentially remains process-driven and adds limited value to your client’s business.

My modus operandi as a Data Governance consultant is entirely different. That is because I start working from my client’s issues and needs. I analyze current processes and ways of working, and I participate in resolving existing issues and driving improvements. By working closely with all stakeholders, I find myself in pole position to create real value for my client and increase my impact. That makes my work as a Data Governance consultant rewarding, especially in the context of a young and dynamic company like Datashift.

4. Contribute directly to the growth of a young, dynamic company

What’s more, my work as a Data Governance consultant also has a profound impact on the entire Datashift team. As I am part of a horizontal organization of about 40 to 50 people, my achievements and successes contribute directly to our company's growth. Working with a relatively small but fast-growing team like Datashift has provided me with more responsibilities and opportunities to deploy my skills and talents beyond the scope of Data Governance consultancy. In the end, everyone at Datashift is a little bit of everything and plays a part in client delivery, knowledge building, and people organization.

5. Become part of a team that spans the entire data landscape

At Datashift, we team up with our clients to create long-term value using their data – offering expertise on three data-driven domains: Data Governance (DG), Business Intelligence (BI), and Data Science & Engineering (DSE). We do not organize ourselves in separate DG, BI & DSE business units, though. Instead, we go for a fluid organization that we can flexibly adapt to our client’s needs.

Whenever I work with a client as a Data Governance consultant, my role may change during the project depending on the client’s evolving needs. In case a successful Data Governance project triggers new data projects, I get a chance to team up with our BI and Data Science experts and benefit from their experience as well. At Datashift, I have become part of a knowledge organization where all of us engage in building and sharing knowledge in Data Governance, Business Intelligence, and Data Science & Engineering.

Ready for the next step?

Do you have 3 to 5 years of experience as an IT auditor? Are you also eager to move up and work as a Data Governance Consultant, helping clients solve their business issues? And does the prospect of increasing your impact and contributing directly to the strong growth of our young and dynamic team sound good? Let's talk!