Informatica · Technology · San Francisco, CA · 18 weeks
Data governance framework deployed across 4 product lines
An enterprise software vendor with four product lines faced 23 data handling issues flagged in a regulatory audit. We designed and implemented a data governance framework that directly addressed each issue. This work cut their audit preparation time from six weeks to four days.
Challenge
The company expanded from one product to four through acquisitions, each using different data processes. A regulatory audit found 23 issues with data classification, retention, and access controls. The legal team flagged $1.8M in potential fines if these weren’t fixed before the next audit in six months.
Approach
In weeks 1 to 4, we classified every data asset across all four product lines by sensitivity, regulatory status, and ownership. Next, we created a governance framework addressing access controls, retention rules, data lineage, and audit trails. We then rolled out this framework step-by-step across each product line.
Outcome
We closed all 23 audit deficiencies well before the follow-up audit. That audit uncovered no new issues. By implementing governance documentation and automated compliance reports, we cut audit prep from six weeks to just four days. This work prevented $1.8 million in potential penalties.
How We Cleaned Up the Data to Make It Spot-On and Simple to Work With
In the first month, we dove right in and sifted through all the data. We tracked down every asset, sized up how sensitive it was, flagged the rules that mattered, and linked each one to its business owner. That list became our playbook for all the governance decisions going forward.
We Dug Into Every One of the 23 Issues, One at a Time
Here’s how we handled it. We found 23 compliance gaps, no kidding. But instead of just dumping that list on the team, we ranked them by risk and effort. Then we focused on the top 8 that really mattered. We cleared those out in 6 weeks flat. The other 15 took us another 12 weeks. In the end, everything was buttoned up way before the audit deadline.
How We Cut Down Manual Work and Mess-Ups by Automating Compliance Reports
We built automated compliance reports that run every week to catch any new governance issues. Before this, audits meant six weeks of slogging through data manually. Now? We just skim the reports. It saves a ton of time.
Results
- 23 Audit deficiencies resolved
- $1.8M Potential penalties avoided
- 6 wks to 4 days Audit preparation time
- 18 wks Full framework deployment
We were facing $1.8 million in penalties and another audit in six months. Thinklytics resolved all 23 issues with two months left. When the follow-up audit happened, there were no issues.