Develop a Master Data Management Strategy and Roadmap

Make sure your most important data is accurate and accessible across your business units to ensure optimal decision support and to monetize your data assets.

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Contributors

Salesforce
Clarity Solution Group
Cognizant Technology Solutions
KAYGEN Enterprise Solutions
Knowledge Integrity, Inc.
Hub Designs Magazine
IBM
TIBCO
Informatica
SAS
Data Management International
University Health Network

Your Challenge

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.

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.

Guided Implementations

This guided implementation is a six call advisory process.

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.

Book Your Workshop

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

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.

Client

Experience

Impact

$ Saved

Days Saved

Testimonial

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

$33,091

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 the agenda and received a very positive feedback from the users community. We got reports, templates and suggestions to move forward. Overall, very positive experience. Thank you Igor for job well done.

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.

Shearman & Sterling LLP

Guided Implementation

10/10

N/A

First National Bank

Guided Implementation

9/10

$33,091

Andy did not have sight of the initial document and questions sent which surprised us a little but it did not detract from the overall value we got from the engagement. Providing us with practical suggestions on which domains to consider as alternatives to customer and when customer MDM is successful gave us some pointers and items to consider. Overall very beneficial with practical things to consider as we embark on our journey.

FirstCaribbean International Bank Limited

Guided Implementation

8/10

N/A

Montana Department of Transportation

Guided Implementation

8/10

N/A

Best - efficient use of time, getting right to the heart of the matter. Worst - difficult to explain complex business environment and needs in a 45 minute call.

Workers' Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau

Guided Implementation

9/10

N/A

University of Exeter

Workshop

10/10

N/A

One Point Consulting Ltd

Guided Implementation

10/10

N/A

oOh!Media

Guided Implementation

10/10

N/A

Barry-Wehmiller

Guided Implementation

9/10

N/A

Armstrong Ceiling Solutions

Guided Implementation

8/10

N/A

Ameritas

Guided Implementation

10/10

N/A

As always, Steven's passion and energy are extremely refreshing during these calls, and complement his vast knowledge base on the topics we've covered. Specific to the MDM conversation, the call helped validate our current approach to Data Governance and MDM and provided some additional angles to consider for both thought and execution. I look forward to discussing further with Steven when we mature into more of an execution state!

Moog Inc

Guided Implementation

3/10

N/A

Confirmation of my understanding and chance to describe our status and where we are headed

RPC Inc.

Guided Implementation

6/10

N/A

the conversion and discussion was great and helped me to understand I am pushing in the right direction. future discussions should help us solidify a real move forward plan.

Government Employees Health Association Inc

Guided Implementation

6/10

$132K

N/A

It was a Plethora of information. Looking forward to the next call.

FirstCaribbean International Bank Limited

Guided Implementation

6/10

N/A

The analyst was knowledgeable and helpful. I was interested in MDM pricing comparisons and there has not yet been enough research into this area to provide them (no MDM landscape)

Boots Norge AS

Guided Implementation

6/10

N/A

California Department of State Hospitals

Guided Implementation

6/10

N/A

Positive experience and I look forward to working with the analyst in the future.

Navy Engineering Logistics Office (NELO)

Workshop

8/10

$66,183

Best: Knowledgeable instructors! Worst: Our attendance

Elavon, Inc.

Workshop

6/10

N/A

i enjoyed working with Paul and Rachel. They knew this program very well and they helped us create our road map. I don;t think we would have done it by ourselves that quickly. Thanks Paul and Rachel.

Inmarsat Solutions Canada

Workshop

8/10

$25,000

GIE AGRICA GESTION

Guided Implementation

9/10

$6,253

Best - roadmaps (ppt) for the big picture, worksheets (xls), feedback vendor neutral, vendor landscapes and the calls - patient listening to our problems and help with contextuel advice & best practices. Worst - documents (word) to fill in and translate from english to french (for our business) and back again in english (for the call). I dropped this aspect.

Associated British Foods Plc

Guided Implementation

10/10

$15,000

N/A

Provided us with a 'fast start' to building a robust and defendable business case. Tools/templates we very useful (although some need 'polish') and Stewart helped keep us on a strict timeline. The GI provided us with a series of 'stepping stones' that enabled us to think about the right things - the discussions we had with Steware on these were invaluable.