While CIOs and CDOs realise that simple data management allows organisations to generate insights from their data, they cannot be sure whether this data is accurate, relevant or where it originates from. It is therefore questionable whether conclusions drawn from this data are of any real value to the business. Data governance ensures that the right people are involved at every step of the data management process – making decisions, understanding impact, supplying context, prioritising deliveries, and staying informed. An appropriate data governance framework – that can be tailored based on your organisation’s maturity, business needs and priorities – ensures a structured approach to meeting your data management goals, now, and in the future.

Still difficult to find an appropriate framework?

“Finding an appropriate data governance framework can be difficult. Many of the available frameworks are too specific, created for distinct vertical and specified company requirements that may not match those of your organisation; while others are too broad, generic, or high-level, making, it tough to relate back to the business or specific use case,” says Kerry Allemann, Senior Consultant at Master Data Management (MDM).

MDM, a provider of complete data management solutions, recently announced its latest industry-agnostic and adaptable data governance framework, which can be tailored according to an organisation’s specific business requirements. The implementation is a change management process that considers the organisation’s goals, data strategy and culture, in addition to its data governance and management maturity level.

This approach to data governance comes at a time when organisations are increasingly recognising the need for data management and governance. The need is largely driven by legislation such as the Protection of Personal Information Act (PoPIA), as well as the realisation that data has value and can yield increased earnings when used correctly in the digital age.

“With a customised governance framework in place, organisations can increase their levels of efficiency and improve their data management practices. Improved practices allow companies to know what data they have and where it is stored, thus also enabling them to identify duplicates, consolidate information, and streamline processes,” says Allemann.

Working with an experienced partner, like Master Data Management, allows organisations to tweak the framework according to their immediate need, phasing in additional complexity later.

For example, a company that is focused on delivering self-service business intelligence may begin by putting controls in place to enable data scientists and other knowledge workers to find and access the data sets they need to do their jobs, whilst an implementation focused on the Protection of Personal Information has the opposite goal – that of ensuring access to sensitive data is restricted. A data governance framework, supported by an experienced partner, must provide the road map to deliver either goal, but eventually cater for both.

Good business practice

“Improved data management practices not only equate to good business practice but also facilitate regulatory compliance, by allowing companies to control access to and modification of their data.”

Most organisations find it difficult to successfully implement a data governance framework, which prompted MDM to take a collaborative approach, working hand-in-hand with the client to identify priorities and plan implementation accordingly.

“We jointly identify a particular starting point, based on a broader picture that includes the client’s data strategy, culture and current levels of maturity. Once this is established, we collaboratively implement the governance framework, adapting it to your specific requirements,” says Allemann.

“We have incorporated our nearly fifteen years of data governance implementation experience into our new framework, which has now been added to our growing offering. This includes our Enterprise Information Management framework (EIM), PoPIA implementation framework and MDM implementation framework, to mention a few.”

Alleman notes that MDM’s enterprise approach engages stakeholders, across business and IT, to share knowledge, minimise unwanted impacts and build trusted data within an organisation.

“Companies that practise active data governance – embedding data stewardship and curatorship activities into business-as-usual data processes – report significant advantages in their ability to use data effectively,” she concludes.

• data privacy
• PoPIA

Around the world, data protection is a business imperative, driven both by regulations, such as South Africa’s Protection of Personal Information Act (PoPIA), and by the growing realisation that consumers’ trust, or lack thereof, in your business can be a competitive differentiator. This means that the awareness of protection, privacy, and liability must become top of mind.

Why Data Privacy?

Companies are no longer able to acquire, collect and use customer and other personal information without concern for rules, laws, and liabilities.

Says Gary Allemann, MD of Master Data Management and eLearning partner, “The frequent occurrence of data misuse and theft has created the need for companies to reexamine their approach to data protection and privacy.  The development of laws around the world focused on data protection, privacy, and responsibility has created a new set of challenges in the world of data usage and business analytics, while, at the same time consumers are increasingly demanding personalised experiences.”

“The day is quickly approaching where companies will need to be able to manage and track data usage, data location, and customer consent. Business people must understand their company’s responsibilities in retaining customer data to support business decision making.”

In this 5 hour course, which forms part of our Certified Data Steward (CDS) curriculum, Evan Levy discusses the business challenges and drivers for compliance; reviews key concepts and terminology; and reviews the activities that go into supporting a privacy and protection initiative.

You will learn:

• Key concepts of data protection
• The impact of protecting data on an existing analytics environment
• Privacy by design – An approach to integrating these principles into the data lifecycle
• The phases and activities involved with Data Privacy/Protection Initiative
• The stakeholders and participants of a Data Protection Initiative

If you are a Chief Data Officer, are responsible for Risk and Compliance, or are otherwise impacted by PoPIA or similar regulations, then this course is for you!

This course can be completed stand-alone or contribute towards your internationally recognised CDS accreditation.

Click here to register.

The EDM Council‘s DCAM (the Data Management Capability Assessment Model) was developed as the cross-industry standard best practice for data management and analytics. Data professionals who are certified in DCAM are recognised as qualified experts in establishing, enabling and sustaining mature data management and analytics programs to ensure their firms’ successful use of one of their most valuable assets – their data.

DCAM Certification offers both training courses and examinations. The online DCAM certification package provides a comprehensive perspective on the capabilities needed to develop and implement practical data management and analytics functions, capped off with a challenging, internationally recognised certification exam.

The curriculum is organised into eight core components, namely:

• Data Strategy & Business Case
• Data Management Program & Funding
• Business & Data Architecture
• Data & Technology Architecture
• Data Quality Management
• Data Governance
• Data Control Environment
• Analytics Management

Each capability is supported by a series of requirement statements including specific objectives, scoring guidance, implementation advice and artefacts needed for the evaluation of data management programs. The latest DCAM v2 Course includes new capabilities for provisioning of data to advanced analytics and AI/ML initiatives and includes data ethics.

Says Gary Allemann, MD of Master Data Management and eLearning partner, “This course is geared towards data management professionals and executives with an interest in understanding the capabilities, opportunities and challenges offered by data management and includes both the eLearning training course and the certification exam.”

You will learn:

• A comprehensive understanding of data management and analytics best practices
• How to assess existing data management and analytics capabilities, and identify gaps
• How to identify and prioritize opportunities to advance your data management and advanced analytics initiatives
• The core, logical components that are applicable and understandable in the real world of data management
• Real-world DCAM v2 use cases

Click here to register.

Master Data Management (MDM) is pleased to announce that it has achieved Level 2 Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) status.

This was achieved in partnership with Passion to Serve, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) focused on addressing the challenges of unemployed youth. Passion to Serve is now a majority shareholder in MDM.

“The work done by organisations like Passion to Serve is critical to the future of our country. Through ensuring that a majority of our profits go to this deserving organisation, we are helping to uplift a broad community of previously disadvantaged persons in a meaningful way,” explains Gary Allemann, Managing Director of MDM.

Youth unemployment currently sits at 58.1%, a staggering figure that means that more than half of South Africa’s eligible workforce is not contributing toward economic development and sustainability. Passion to Serve was founded in October 2015 to help create opportunities for these individuals, who often have skills and training but lack the support structures necessary to find employment. The NGO’s goal is to improve the lives of previously disadvantaged youth, their families and vulnerable communities, specifically in the Cape Flats  area of the Western Cape.

“Learnerships are common practice in South Africa, but frequently once individuals have completed their training they remain unemployed. At Passion to Serve we are concerned about the future employment and employability of these vulnerable young people. We developed a model of psychosocial support alongside a very strong network of business partners who assist with work placements. Our shareholding in MDM enables us to fund many of our initiatives without outside support,” says Malcom Salida, Founder and Executive Director of Passion to Serve.

Through its shareholding in MDM, Passion to Serve hopes to solidify its support to areas like Lavender Hill and Cafda, where gang fights and deaths are almost a daily occurrence.

Many NGOs choose not to work in these areas due to the difficulty and  danger, making the work of Passion to Serve even more crucial. The organisation is also hoping to build an enclosed area for their offices and workshops in order to support groups and working groups can be held in a sheltered, functional space.

Without the support of organisations like Passion to Serve, many youth will remain unemployed and unemployable, a burden on their communities and the country.

Passion to Serve is looking to expand its model, which is fully endorsed by the government, to maximise the positive impact on the lives of the disadvantaged youth and society as a whole.