Data stewardship and control: who holds primary administrative responsibility for supervising activities related to a database, including schema management, access control, and recovery?

Introduction / Context:
Databases are mission-critical assets. They require defined ownership for architecture, security, performance, and continuity. While many roles contribute to data success, one role is classically accountable for day-to-day administrative control and policy enforcement across the database environment.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The question focuses on administrative supervision of database activities.
• Activities include user provisioning, schema/version control, backup/recovery, performance tuning, and integrity enforcement.
• We seek the standard role name recognized across organizations and vendors.

Concept / Approach:
The Database Administrator (DBA) is responsible for configuring and maintaining databases, implementing security policies, managing storage and indexing strategies, overseeing backups and disaster recovery, and coordinating changes to schemas and permissions. While IT leadership roles (e.g., VP or DP managers) set broader policy or oversee multiple functions, the DBA executes and supervises the concrete administrative tasks that keep databases secure, performant, and available.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Vendor documentation (Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server, PostgreSQL) references the DBA role for administrative responsibilities and procedures.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• DP/DB manager or VP titles: managerial oversight rather than hands-on administrative supervision implied in the question.
• None: incorrect because a standard role exists.

Common Pitfalls:
Blurring lines between data governance (policy-level) and database administration (system-level); neglecting to document and test recovery procedures under DBA oversight.

Final Answer:
Database administrator