In today's data-driven world, the data steward is becoming increasingly important - especially in the manufacturing industry. After all, precise, reliable and consistent data is the basis for efficient processes, agile decision-making and long-term business success. But what exactly does a data steward do - and why is it becoming a key role for future-oriented, manufacturing companies?
What is a data steward?
A data steward is responsible for managing, monitoring and maintaining company data - acting as the guardian of data quality. Their central task is to ensure that data is complete, correct, consistent, up-to-date and accessible - and that it is handled and documented securely. In this way, the data steward lays the foundation for reliable, data-based decisions within the company.
In the industrial environment, this includes
- Production data (e.g. quantities, running times, downtimes)
- Machine data (e.g. sensor values, maintenance status)
- Technical product information (e.g. parts lists, variants)
- Order and inventory data (e.g. delivery dates, stock levels)
The data steward and its origins: Growing out of the data governance environment
The data steward has its origins in the data governance environment, which became increasingly important in the early 2000s. Companies began to work systematically with large volumes of data - particularly in the context of ERP, CRM and BI systems. While IT took care of the infrastructure, it became clear that a specialist role was also needed that was responsible for data quality in day-to-day business. This is how Data was created as a link between IT and the specialist departments - with the aim of enabling strategic and quality-assured data usage.
What tasks does a data steward have in production?
1. ensure data quality
A data steward is responsible for ensuring data quality. This is essential in the manufacturing industry: incorrect or incomplete data can lead to production downtime, rework or even safety risks. A data steward therefore implements validation processes, cleans up incorrect data records and carries out random checks to ensure that digital information matches the physical reality.
2. maintain data consistency
Uniform data standards are essential for smooth collaboration between departments. A data steward defines and monitors standards for data collection, maintenance and use. This ensures transparency, reduces misunderstandings and improves efficiency across the entire production process.
3. ensure accessibility and security of data
A good data steward ensures that relevant data is available in the right place at the right time - and remains secure. This includes setting up and managing access rights, as well as applying data protection and security guidelines, especially for sensitive production or customer data.
Why is the data steward particularly relevant in production?
The amount and complexity of data is growing rapidly, especially in the manufacturing industry - from IoT sensors and digital twins to automated production lines. The data steward is particularly important here because:
- Production processes are increasingly data-driven (e.g. through APS, MES, OEE evaluations)
- Quality management relies on accurate, traceable data
- Incorrect master data in parts lists, routings or material numbers can lead to high costs (e.g. production downtime or incorrect deliveries)
- Automation and AI only work with clean training and real-time data
In order to achieve a successful digitalization strategy, the position of data steward is indispensable. By ensuring data quality, consistency and security, the data steward makes a significant contribution to a company's efficiency, innovative strength and compliance. In a time when data can be a competitive advantage, the role of the data steward is more important than ever. Companies that are well positioned in this respect will be able to optimize their production processes, manage their supply chains efficiently and ultimately make better decisions.
