Blank Data Management – Just Like “The Match Game”?
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No matter how you fill in the blank, there are three keys to remember when managing your data.
Types of Master Data Management have been on the hype-o-meter lately. This reminds me of the old US TV show from the 70s called “The Match Game”. In the game, the host provided a phrase, and then the contestant tried to fill in the blank and “match” the same word as a panel of contestants.
It seems like with all the popularity these days, people everyone are putting <blank> in front of Data Management. Process Data Management here, and here, Product Data Management, Supplier Data Management, Procurement Data Management.
And that’s not even counting plain old Data Management! Which is really normally Enterprise Data Management. Plus, <blank> MDM results is a whole different alphabet!
Well, the good news is, there’s lots of data around, so if you’re gaining experience in processes or technology that has the word “data” as the second letter of a three letter acronym (TLA), hopefully, the down economy hasn’t treated you too harshly. And even if it has, your knowledge will likely be more valuable in the future as data volumes explode (maybe even at Initiate!).
Obviously, it can be challenging to wade through all the TLAs. If you’re just starting, focus on three things as you enjoy your alphabet soup.
Value
Start with the value: Too often, the word data leans towards bits and bytes versus WHY the data is important. Chatting with my dad this weekend, he posed a question: “Would you like to write the letter F all day and get paid for it?”
Nope, I replied.
“Well,” he continued, “there is such a job at a high-scale pen manufacturer. When the lady (who has been doing this job for 10 years) was asked why she stuck with a boring job that required no skill, she replied, ‘My job is not to write the letter F. My job is to make sure every pen writes perfectly. This pen I’m holding now might be used for a love letter, a hero’s autograph for a child, or for a treaty between two heads of state.’”
Think of who’s using your data and why it matters to them.
Process
Follow with the process: The pen flows from that lady’s hand to a warehouse, to a truck, to a store, to a car driven by a mother who purchased it for her son’s graduation, to a hand that signs a farewell letter to his girlfriend who might remain behind when he goes to college.
Understand how data flow into your data masters and back to those that use it. What might cause that data to create a bad break-up versus a fond farewell? (Most high school boys aren’t that great with words and notes these days. More BRBs, and I <3 Us, I suppose.)
Find the Relevant Matches
Look for all the matches: In "The Match Game," the players had 6 different people that could match with to score points. Once you understand the business problem and process needed, be sure to cast appropriately for the solution you need.
As these <blank> data management areas are still emerging, explore solutions that are flexible enough to support multiple scenarios with a single platform.
When you start with the business problem, understand the process of data, and explore all solutions, you’ll definitely win the match game.
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