What's in it for the data stewards?

With data waves getting complex with time, data stewards have enormous responsibility to enable, sustain and improve "trustability" of data. Positive improvements in data trustability hinges on solid data stewardship.

Three things I have seen work well when assigning stewardship responsibilities.

First, prior credibility with business leaders particularly the process owners. Second, a "what is possible" tenacious attitude with attention to detail instead of "this is how it is done here" mindset. Third, a positive personality with strong interpersonal skills. If you are a multinational or transnational organization, then an understanding of cultural specificity would go a long way in completing the profile.

Let us say your data stewards are doing a great job. What's in it for them?

Addressing the questions below can help you formulate or refine policy to reward and motivate your data steward(s):

1. Do you have a formal buy-in from Human Resources to include stewardship metrics for annual performance evaluation?

2. Is data stewardship their primary responsibility, a part-time activity or a tertiary chore?

3. Do some of the stewards receive bigger rewards arising out of higher value contribution to your organization from a particular data domain (e.g. Customer)?

4. Is there a monetary reward for significant enhancements in the trustability of your data or are you continuing with traditions of giving out certificates or acknowledgments at team meetings?

5. Are you giving them opportunities to gain visibility with company leaders and creating avenues to share their expertise and educate others?

Data stewards in your organization are unsung heroes managing your strategic asset - your data. By failing to reward them you are taking a giant first step in discounting the value of your asset. If stewards of your other assets, such as financial holdings, get rewarded for improvements in value of assets shouldn't your data stewards too?

Degrees of data standardization - Part 1

One of the challenges of a master data management program is the decision on standardization. The opportunity to establish common definitions, format and domain ranges (allowed values) also presents a risk to introduce delays to your program. If you are a diversified business or a global organization, the delays are compounded.

How do you address the standardization challenge?

First step is to bring data awareness within your organization. This needs good amount of groundwork by IT leaders. Profiling of data, confirming data ownerships (or lack there of), reviewing information visibility requirements et al.

Second, identify data elements (attributes) that are potential candidates for standardization. Categorize your data using a tiered approach. Your industry may drive the amount of attributes to be standardized.

Third, bring awareness about your data and the need for standardization beginning with your immediate information consumers. Translate your findings from step 1 and 2 into simple narratives that business users can relate to and understand. Let this awareness percolate across the organization prompting attention of business leaders.

This will lay the foundation for your next (and generally more challenging) steps for data standardization. Stay tuned for Part 2.

If you are in the midst of a MDM program, what were your challenges in executing Steps 1 to 3 ?

Master Data and DNA - Drawing a parallel

Wikipedia definition:

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is a nucleic acid that contains the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all known living organisms and some viruses. The main role of DNA molecules is the long-term storage of information. DNA is often compared to a set of blueprints or a recipe, or a code, since it contains the instructions needed to construct other components of cells, such as proteins and RNA molecules. The DNA segments that carry this genetic information are called genes, but other DNA sequences have structural purposes, or are involved in regulating the use of this genetic information.

Master data contains key business entities and their definitions used in the development and functioning of all business events. The main role of master data is the accurate long-term institutional reference of information. Master data is often compared to a set of blueprints or a recipe, or a code, since it contains information needed for product/service leadership, closer customer interactions and operational efficiencies.

How familiar are you with your organizational DNA ?