Develop a Master Data Management Strategy and Roadmap

Do not fill in this field

Enter no text in this field

Get Instant Access
to This Blueprint

Business Email

Full Name

Company

Phone

Job Title

IT and business leaders are recognizing the need to implement master data management (MDM) processes and technology to better manage enterprise master data.
Master data is pervasive throughout the business and is often created and captured in highly disparate sources that often are not easily shared across business units and applications.
Simple in concept, MDM is complex in practice and requires investments in governance, technology, and planning.
Several different MDM implementation styles exist and it is difficult to know which one is most appropriate for the organization.
MDM impacts the organizational data processes: how data is entered, maintained, accessed, and retired.

Our Advice

Critical Insight

MDM is not just for the big guys. Large MDM systems are complex and require deep commitment to deploy and run, but for SMEs to monetize data, MDM is still a critical requirement to achieve success.
MDM can be difficult and expensive. Organizational buy-in and an understanding of the organization’s data environment are imperative to the success of an MDM implementation.
Organizational processes are just as critical as technology when implementing and maintaining clean master data.
Start simply. Get your reference data in order with MDM processes, and ensure the MDM data is usable in your business intelligence and analytics platforms.

Impact and Result

Don’t get caught unprepared. By identifying whether or not you are ready to adopt a MDM strategy, you could avoid major pains and identify strategic initiatives to make sure you are ready.
Maximize your success with MDM by identifying the master data domain(s) your organization should target.
Develop a MDM strategy and initiative roadmap using Info-Tech’s MDM framework, which takes data governance, architecture, and other critical data capabilities into consideration.
Identify the MDM implementation style that best suits the needs of your organization.
Maintain MDM by identifying key metrics to measure your successes.

Develop a Master Data Management Strategy and Roadmap

Start here – read the Executive Brief

Read our concise Executive Brief to find out why you should implement a MDM strategy to monetize your data, review Info-Tech’s methodology, and understand the four ways we can support you in completing this project.

Develop a Master Data Management Strategy and Roadmap – Executive Brief

1. Build a vision for MDM

Before diving headfirst into a complex MDM solution, make sure the organization’s culture is ready for it.

2. Create a plan and roadmap for the organization’s MDM program

Have a well-defined roadmap populated with specific initiatives to communicate the plan to the business, prove the ROI of MDM, and guarantee success of the project.

Member Testimonials

After each Info-Tech experience, we ask our members to quantify the real-time savings, monetary impact, and project improvements our research helped them achieve. See our top member experiences for this blueprint and what our clients have to say.

9.0/10

Overall Impact

$24,279

Average $ Saved

Average Days Saved

Client

Experience

Impact

$ Saved

Days Saved

Testimonial

New Mexico Department Of Health

Guided Implementation

9/10

N/A

Very informative, answered our questions and the templates displayed were very helpful. Very knowledgeable and provided a lot of information in the 1 hour time frame we had. Provided us with some useful tools to use immediately. Looking forward to the...

Owens Corning

Guided Implementation

6/10

N/A

Best part of experience - open dialog regarding best practices and insights to thinking "out of the box". worst part of experience - would have liked to dig deeper with more specific options. with my manager and peers, I will evaluate when/if to sched...

Fernco Inc

Workshop

10/10

N/A

Worse: Fernco is in the process of developing a Data Quality culture so to be able estimate time and dollar savings from MDM workshop is difficult at this time. Best: The outputs from the MDM workshop helps to lay the foundation with Data Stewards an...

Canadian Stewardship Services Alliance Inc. (CSSA)

Workshop

10/10

$25,000

Appreciated the hands-on modelling work with Reddy and Dirk. We will be walking away from the workshop with a good foundation of models that capture the collective knowledge of key team members. Reddy and Dirk adapted will to delivering the session r...

ITsPeople

Guided Implementation

9/10

$23,559

Great Clips Inc.

Guided Implementation

9/10

N/A

The team we talked with with knowledgeable, and they delivered what they promised.

Colliers International Canada

Guided Implementation

10/10

N/A

Very knowledgeable consultant, good interaction. We are just starting our journey; it is too early to assess the time or dollar savings.

Fusion Superplex

Guided Implementation

8/10

$25,000

Werner Co.

Guided Implementation

8/10

$61,999

I love the thought leadership. I wish master data was easy.

Northern Ontario School of Medicine

Guided Implementation

10/10

N/A

120

Everyone went smoothly, everything was great. Not 'worst' parts to report thus far.

Cengage Learning

Guided Implementation

8/10

N/A

Fisheries and Oceans Canada - Office of the CDO

Guided Implementation

10/10

$25,000

Igor was very knowledgeable, delivered relevant materials synthesized from the Info-Tech website resources, and has offered access to other relevant supporting materials to support our planned mater data management work.

Blommer Chocolate Company

Guided Implementation

8/10

$12,742

Provided practical thoughts on how to get started.

Amedisys Holding, LLC

Guided Implementation

1/10

N/A

Both teams were both completely unprepared for the call.

CF Industries Enterprises Inc

Guided Implementation

8/10

$2,419

Dollar General

Guided Implementation

10/10

N/A

AAA Club Alliance, Inc

Guided Implementation

9/10

N/A

Igor is very knowledgeable about this area and the challenges companies face in moving forward implementing MDM. Lots of good ideas!

North Country HealthCare

Guided Implementation

10/10

$31,833

120

Shearman & Sterling LLP

Workshop

9/10

N/A

We have spent a lot of time figuring out the agenda and finalizing the SOW, and logistic. We also had missed on our first meeting with the business user but we picked up speed after that and were able to accomplished all items listed in the SOW and in t...

Athens International Airport

Guided Implementation

10/10

N/A

Clark Builders

Guided Implementation

7/10

N/A

Unified Health Services

Guided Implementation

10/10

N/A

All great. Very helpful. This info will help us jumpstart our data architecture efforts.

Load More Testimonials

Onsite Workshop: Develop a Master Data Management Strategy and Roadmap

Onsite workshops offer an easy way to accelerate your project. If you are unable to do the project yourself, and a Guided Implementation isn't enough, we offer low-cost onsite delivery of our project workshops. We take you through every phase of your project and ensure that you have a roadmap in place to complete your project successfully.

Module 1: Develop a Vision for the MDM Project

The Purpose

Identification of MDM and why it is important.
Differentiate between reference data and master data.
Discuss and understand the key challenges and pains felt by the business and IT with respect to master data, and identify the opportunities MDM can provide to the business.

Key Benefits Achieved

Identification of what is and is not master data.
Understand the value of MDM and how it can help the organization better monetize its data.
Knowledge of how master data can benefit both IT and the business.

Activities

Outputs

1.1

Establish business context for master data management.

High-level data requirements

1.2

Assess the value, benefits, challenges, and opportunities associated with MDM.

Identification of business priorities

1.3

Develop the vision, purpose, and scope of master data management for the business.

1.4

Identify MDM enablers.

1.5

Interview business stakeholders.

Module 2: Assess MDM Capabilities

The Purpose

Recognize business drivers for MDM.
Discuss MDM methods of use.
Determine where master data lives within the organization.

Key Benefits Achieved

Understand how to gain business support for MDM.
Definition of the three MDM methods of use.
Identification of where master data lives in the organization.

Activities

Outputs

2.1

Evaluate the risks and value of critical data.

2.2

Map and understand the flow of data within the business.

Data flow diagram with identified master data sources and users

2.3

Identify master data sources and users.

Master data dictionary

2.4

Assess current master data management capabilities.

Master data management capability assessment

2.5

Set target master data management capabilities.

2.6

Identify performance gaps.

Module 3: Analyze Gaps and Develop Improvement Initiatives

The Purpose

Determine where the organization currently stands in its MDM capabilities.
Get a clear picture of what the organization wants to get out of MDM.
Based on the gaps identified between the current and future states, identify key initiatives and timelines.

Key Benefits Achieved

Communicate IT projects to the business in a way that captures the support of decision makers in the organization is half the battle.
Have a clear and laid out initiative roadmap to ensure success of the MDM program as this will help create alignment between the goals of the business and IT.

Activities

Outputs

3.1

Evaluate performance gaps for remediation.

Data and master data management alignment and strategies

3.2

Develop alignment of initiatives to strategies.

3.3

Consolidate master data management initiatives and strategies.

3.4

Develop a project timeline, and define key success.

Module 4: Design Roadmap and Plan Implementation

The Purpose

Define match rules, golden rules, hierarchies, and affiliations.
Create a strategic roadmap.
Define metrics.
Understand new data source quality and integration testing.
Understand change request procedures.

Key Benefits Achieved

Understand the importance of match rules, golden rules, hierarchies, and affiliations.
Produce a strategic roadmap.
Identify metrics.
Understand how to integrate new data sources and/or the next domain.
Implement a change request procedure.

Activities

Outputs

4.1

Identify dependencies of initiatives.

Master data management roadmap

4.2

Prioritize actions.

4.3

Build a master data management roadmap (short and long term).

4.4

Consolidate into master data management strategy.

Master data management strategy for continued success

About Info-Tech

Info-Tech Research Group is the world’s fastest-growing information technology research and advisory company, proudly serving over 30,000 IT professionals.

We produce unbiased and highly relevant research to help CIOs and IT leaders make strategic, timely, and well-informed decisions. We partner closely with IT teams to provide everything they need, from actionable tools to analyst guidance, ensuring they deliver measurable results for their organizations.

Member Rating

9.0/10
Overall Impact

$24,279
Average $ Saved

11
Average Days Saved

After each Info-Tech experience, we ask our members to quantify the real-time savings, monetary impact, and project improvements our research helped them achieve.

Read what our members are saying

What Is a Blueprint?

A blueprint is designed to be a roadmap, containing a methodology and the tools and templates you need to solve your IT problems.

Each blueprint can be accompanied by a Guided Implementation that provides you access to our world-class analysts to help you get through the project.

Need Extra Help?
Try Our Guided Implementations

Get the help you need in this 2-phase advisory process. You'll receive 6 touchpoints with our researchers, all included in your membership.

Guided Implementation #1 - Build a vision for MDM

Call #1 - Identify what master data management means to the organization.
Call #2 - Discuss the strategic plans of the business and establish a business context for master data management.
Call #3 - Determine master data management strategies.

Guided Implementation #2 - Create a plan and roadmap for the organization’s MDM program

Call #1 - Discuss the results of the master data management capabilities evaluation.
Call #2 - Plan initiatives for master data management.
Call #3 - Create a roadmap and discuss next steps.