Mastering Your Data

by Andy Graham

Master Data Management (MDM for short) has become a whole industry, within an
industry. There are many companies now claiming to be MDM software (or services)
providers. Everyone wants a master data project on their CV, and in general it
has become hip and trendy to talk about and do.

The reality is that MDM is in fact the reincarnation of the problem of how to
manage the consistency and integrity of the myriads of data assets that exist
across the enterprise. This book provides an understanding of MDM, the business
drivers behind it, the various techniques that are critical to its success and
gives a good architectural grounding in the subject. It is perfect for anyone
embarking on an ‘adventure’ in this problem space.

 

The intended audience of this text include data professionals, managers of
data professionals, project/program managers, IT architects of all kinds and
business analysts. There are also a number of chapters, specifically chapters 1,
3, 5 and 13, which will be of interest to the executive levels within an
organisation.

 

This book covers a range of subjects within the master data management world.
There are 13 chapters:

• Chapter 1 – Here be Monsters: The book starts with a general overview of
the reason why master data management is important and the history of where
it has come from.

• Chapter 2 – What is Master Data: We next look at what is master data and
how to spot it within your organisation.

• Chapter 3 – The Business Case for MDM: This chapter looks at the business
drivers and some of the fundamentals that comprise the MDM business case. In
effect this is the show me the money chapter.

• Chapter 4 – Architecture, Principles and Concepts: This chapter is an
architectural breakdown of what constitutes an MDM system. It provides us
with a basic reference architecture with which to explore the MDM world.

• Chapter 5 – Master Data is Risky: master data has inherent risks
associated with it. This chapter looks at what those are and some of the
approaches to mitigation.

• Chapter 6 – Magnum Opus: One of the key achievements for the MDM architect
is the creation of the gold record. Behind this concept is the
identification of the data sources that make it up. This chapter gives us a
good grounding in the concept.

• Chapter 7 – It’s a Huge Job: This chapter looks at how we find all the
master data and keep this information up to date, without having to employ
the world.

• Chapter 8 – The Hub: The master data hub is an important concept to
understand and is in fact central to most MDM technologies. This chapter
takes a look at this idea.

• Chapter 9 – The Cross Walk: This chapter looks at the challenges faced
when using different reference systems and how to address them.

• Chapter 10 – Identity Management: With this chapter we examine some of the
practicalities of identifies and how to manage them.

• Chapter 11 – Record Linkage: How do we bring data together from different
systems and create a single harmonised record. This chapter addresses this
difficult problem by looking at the techniques and processes involved.

189 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 3, 2015

About the author

Andy Graham was born in Dartford (in Kent) and now lives in East Sussex. He graduated from the University of the West of England and has worked since graduating within the field of data and information management. He has held a number of senior data roles for companies such as HSBC, IMS Health, Sybase, Hummingbird (formally Andyne), Business Objects and currently he works at Rentokil Initial.

Writing has become an interest that complements his day to day working life. This book is his third, although the first two are more aimed at data professionals rather that the general public.

Reviews

[Amit · Rating 5 out of 5]

First book to read to learn about mastering data

The author's vast experience and ability to communicate the challenges and solutions clearly make this a must read. It is to the point and full of practical advice.

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very high level. A good introductory text, but less advice then I would have liked.