An Empirical Analysis of Design Principles and Functional Requirements for Data Trustees

Organizations increasingly rely on sharing data to drive collaboration and gain a competitive advantage. However, privacy, security, and regulatory compliance issues often prevent the sharing of sensitive information. Data trustees have emerged as a potential solution to these challenges, but there is still significant ambiguity about the key elements and best practices that define them and the related technologies. This lack of clarity hinders the development and adoption of data trustees, stalling progress in the field. In response, we conducted a comprehensive survey of the data trustee community and received 35 complete responses from experts in various data governance roles. Our findings reveal common trends, important needs, and expectations for data trustees. By synthesizing these insights, our study contributes to the practical and theoretical understanding of the design principles and functional requirements for data trustees. It provides guidance for industry practitioners and extends the evidence-based discourse in the academic community.