Critical Data Elements — Steward Curation

Critical Data Elements identify information that needs particular governance attention because of its importance to the organisation.

Data Steward responsibility

The Data Steward role is required to create and edit Critical Data Elements. Stewards can maintain details such as the name, description, owner, expected data type and custom attributes.

Adding technical columns

When mapping Data Map columns into a Critical Data Element, Microsoft Purview also requires the appropriate Data Product Owner permissions, together with the Data Map access needed to read the underlying assets. This keeps business curation and technical asset access as separate permission concerns.

Lifecycle

Critical Data Elements can move through Draft, Published and Expired states. Publishing makes them available for wider discovery and use in Unified Catalog.

Connect business meaning

Stewards can link Critical Data Elements to related glossary terms, helping consumers understand the business meaning of important data and connecting governance concepts across the catalogue.

Good stewardship

• Use clear business-facing names and descriptions.
• Assign the correct owner.
• Maintain the expected data type.
• Complete required custom attributes.
• Link relevant glossary terms.
• Review lifecycle status as the organisation changes.