Master Data Management (MDM) is an important method for developing and maintaining the uniformity and accuracy of the organization’s shared “master data.” Master Data Management allows businesses to improve the accuracy and uniformity of their important data assets, such as customer data, product data, asset data, and location data. Master data can be described as an […]
Metadata Management vs. Master Data Management
Businesses rely on knowing their data to survive and grow. Metadata management and master data management (MDM) provide essential processes for organizations to gain this knowledge and succeed. As a result, both need to be managed well. However, the differences and intersections between metadata management vs. master data management are often complicated to disentangle for […]
Data Lineage Demystified
Trusting big data requires understanding its data lineage. Without data lineage, big data becomes synonymous with the last phrase in a game of telephone. The original data from the first person (e.g., “a guppy swims in a shark tank”) changes to something completely different when it ends with the last person (e.g., “The puppy that […]
Data Quality, Data Stewardship, Data Governance: Three Keys
Typically, Data Governance programs start with Data Quality, because that is where end users or stakeholders begin to interact with data, especially from the reporting and analytics perspective. “They get a report that doesn’t match another report and they can’t marry it to other data,” said Mary Anne Hopper, Data Management Consultant at SAS Institute. […]
Tools for Quick Wins with Data Architecture and Data Governance
Data Governance can have various definitions, depending on the audience. To many, Data Governance consists of committee meetings and stewardship roles. To others, it focuses on technical Data Management and controls. Holistic Data Governance combines both of these aspects, and a robust Data Architecture and associated diagrams can be the “glue” that binds business and […]
Data Architecture with Data Governance: A Proactive Approach
“Data Architecture is the physical implementation of the Business Strategy,” said Nigel Turner, Principal Consultant in E.M.E.A. at Global Data Strategy, speaking at the DATAVERSITY® Enterprise Data Governance Online Conference. “It’s a key part of the whole continuum that you need to build within an organization to manage data effectively,” and Data Governance forms an […]
Demystifying Master Data Management
Thomas Edison may have understood the importance of Master Data Management before the term was formally coined. He said, “The value of an idea lies in the using of it.” While ideas in the early 20th century relied on thoughts and things, ideas in this information age depend on data. Take reference data: unchanging tags […]
What Is Reference Data?
Reference data (a.k.a. as master data, or golden copy, or single source of truth [SSOT] ) describes the set of data an organization needs for daily operations. According to the DAMA-DMBoK2, reference data characterizes or classifies or relates to other data or information external to the organization. It describes the core entities of the business […]
A Brief History of Master Data
Master data is generally described as essential business data about people, places, and things. Master Data Management or MDM describes a system for managing the data, which is different than the actual data. Master data is not typically transactional data, but in some situations transactional data can be treated as master data. For instance, if […]
Going for Golden Copy: Tips for Improving Your Master Data Management
Click to learn more about author Richard Mohrmann. Um, yes, we are still talking about reference data. While it certainly seems like a topic that should have been resolved long ago, here we are still talking about why reference data seems like such a difficult nut to crack. There are reasons. At the highest level, […]