Mastering Data Management

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Larry Dubov discusses the different MDM workstreams and their related skillsets.

An MDM initiative can be very complex, with multiple workstreams that must happen in a certain order, or concurrently. Each workstream requires a unique set of resources and skills. As you plan your MDM roadmap, you need to identify what resources and skillsets you will need to accomplish each set of tasks.

The list below represents typical workstreams of an MDM initiative.

• Master entity identification
• Entity groups and relationships
• Data governance, standards, quality and compliance
• Data architecture
• Metadata management and administrative applications
• Initial data load
• Inbound data processing (batch and real time)
• Outbound data processing (batch and real time)
• Changes to legacy systems and applications
• Visibility and security
• Exception processing
• Infrastructure
• Data hub applications
• Reporting requirements of a stratified user community
• Testing
• Release management
• Deployment
• Training

Each of these workstreams should be filled with the right resources and skills. It may make a significant cost difference whether these skills are available in-house or if they must be filled with temporary employees or consultants.

Data governance is one of the often-underestimated workstreams. The data governance organization leads the workstream that includes data stewardship resources. Data governance is responsible for the definition of data stewardship needs, data stewardship responsibilities and other requirements that drive the number of data stewards, their activities, functions and the incremental costs.

Testing is another workstream that has been underestimated on multiple engagements. Testing for an MDM data hub project requires skills that go beyond traditional testing of application logic. MDM data hub testing may require data testing and web services testing skills.

What other workstreams have you encountered in your MDM initiatives? Have there been any unique resource needs that go beyond the typical scope? Leave your comments below.

This is part of a series, Building an MDM Roadmap. For other posts and a complete index, view the Table of Contents.