MDM
As organizations implement more integrated Information Management strategies — data warehousing, data hubs, virtualized data integration, and other initiatives — Master Data Management (MDM) has emerged as a critical capability. The reality is that most organizational information lives in isolated silos that lack shared definitions for business fundamentals — what is a product, customer, supplier? This makes it challenging to look across the business at the whole information chain. MDM forces collaboration across these silos.
Our experience shows that MDM initiatives need experienced advisors to overcome these challenges. Our approach is both pragmatic and actionable:
Establishing the MDM strategy
First of all, MDM initiatives have substantial impact on existing business processes and MUST have active business participation and support. Executive sponsorship is critical. To win that support, we help customers build the business case that articulates the benefits, costs, and challenges. The plan we help you develop will be selective about the data that should be “mastered” based on its business value and impact and will show an iterative implementation approach for early and frequent success.
Selection of MDM architecture and technology
Together we’ll build a clear statement of the organization’s MDM objectives and requirements. We ensure that the initiative will be wedded to business needs and not driven by technology considerations, a common misstep. There are various MDM architectures that can all be successful, and the correct architecture will be closely related to your data governance approach. Finally, we will help you select the right technologies, which have matured rapidly over the last several years, closing the capability gap.
Implementation of MDM solutions
Since MDM is often introducing new technology, a time-tested strategy is to first conduct a pilot or proof-of-concept as a way to minimize risk. We also help you plan adequately for the impact of an MDM implementation on existing data usage procedures and systems. Lastly, our methodology embeds change management as critical to the successful adoption of MDM as it typically crosses organizational boundaries.
Master Data Management is tightly integrated with Data Quality and Governance, and we often find a discussion of one includes the other. Our depth and expertise across the complex Information Management landscape makes us an excellent partner for an integrated IM strategy.
