Five practical ways to improve fund data governance in 2026

Practical steps asset managers can take today

Improving fund data governance does not require a full system overhaul on day one. Most firms can make meaningful progress by tightening controls, clarifying ownership and reducing dependency on manual processes. The challenge is knowing where to start.

Here are five pragmatic steps that will help asset managers modernise operations and strengthen confidence in their data.

1. Establish clear ownership for every data attribute

The fastest way to reduce inconsistency is to define who is responsible for each data field. Ownership removes ambiguity, eliminates duplicate effort and ensures updates are made by the people closest to the information.

Clear ownership also makes validation easier. When something looks wrong, teams know exactly who to ask.

2. Standardise business rules and validation logic

Different teams working with different definitions inevitably produce different results. Standardising business rules ensures everyone interprets data the same way and applies the same checks before information is published.

Validation at the point of entry prevents errors from spreading. It also improves regulatory confidence by ensuring data lineage can be demonstrated with clarity.

3. Reduce manual touchpoints wherever possible

Manual rekeying, formatting and reconciliation introduce risk. Even small efficiencies—pre-defined templates, automated notifications or structured approval workflows—can significantly reduce operational drag.

Automation does not replace people. It frees them from repetitive tasks so they can focus on analysis, oversight and innovation.

4. Build towards a single version of the truth

Most firms don’t need to centralise everything at once. Instead, start by consolidating the datasets with the greatest risk or the highest volume of change. Over time, this creates a more coherent data backbone that supports all downstream systems and reporting.

A single version of the truth is an operating advantage across every department.

5. Prioritise interoperability from day one

Even the best governance model cannot succeed if systems cannot communicate. Mapping how data flows across the organisation helps identify weak points, redundant processes and opportunities where automation will make the most significant difference.

API-driven connectivity is a must-have for ensuring updates flow reliably to websites, regulatory templates, fact sheets, client platforms and internal tools.

Good governance is a journey, not a switch to be flipped

Strengthening governance is ultimately about building repeatable processes that reduce risk and free teams from manual work, so they can focus on higher value activity. The firms that invest in governance now will be better positioned to scale their operations, accelerate reporting and adopt future technologies with confidence.

As governance matures, the natural next step is to pair these practices with technology that can automate validation, streamline approvals and ensure data flows consistently across the organisation. This is where Product Mastering can make a transformational impact.

FE Fundinfo Modernising Fund Data Infrastructure Mockup Teaser

New guide

Our comprehensive guide explores how to modernise your data foundation and future-proof your operations.

Download the guide to modernising fund data infrastructure