Tangible, Measurable Results
Implementing data governance, data quality management, and metadata management best practices
are realized through tangible, measurable results at every milestone of a program. The key is to strike a
balanced approach between near-term commitments and deliverables against the longer-term data
management strategy, while addressing both top-down and bottom-up requirements. To justify data
investment and to earn trust from stakeholders, prepare to baseline, monitor, and demonstrate data value
to business teams on an ongoing basis.
Begin building a roadmap by baselining the current state. Start with identifying critical business problems.
Does it take an army of SQL developers to crank out monthly business reports? Are there regulatory
compliance issues? Is there a customer data problem? Is there an invoicing problem? Next, use objective
data to identify and prioritize areas for action. Finally, define and measure success based on business
and financial impact.
Takeaways
The steps needed to develop a data management strategy that breaks down silos, targets business
needs, and shows results are summed up in three actions.
Understand that data fundamentals matter: Core data management capabilities are the building blocks
for any data-related initiative (and arguably any technology initiative, as well).
Data is a corporate asset so start treating it like one: Build the strategy and business case to evolve
departmental data into sustainable and differentiated corporate assets.
Baseline and measure current capabilities: You can’t chart a course for business improvement if you
don’t know where you are today.
About the Author
Kelly Spivey is a Managing Director at Sila, a technology and management
consulting firm. Kelly excels at building partnerships with global
organizations to enable change and promote adoption of enhancements
strengthening people, processes and technology. She helps organizations
strengthen their data integrations, streamline their processes, and expand
their lines of business. She brings over 25 years of experience in technical
and business management consulting, with extensive knowledge of both
public sector and the aerospace industry.