Webinar Summary: The Importance of Data Governance in the DAMA Framework

LADY – the International Data Management Association – elected its first board of directors in 1988. The first chapter was founded in 1980 in Los Angeles. From that moment on, it became clear that the most urgent need in a sector that was just beginning to take its first steps was to have a single theoretical framework. A language that all professionals could understand and that would serve as a reference when tackling any data management project.

In this third webinar in the series «The DATA-DRIVEN webinar series»We had the pleasure of chatting with Michele Iurillo, member of the board of directors of DAMA Spain and Founder of Synergo! who, together with Mario de Francisco, CEO of Anjana Data, resolved some questions about Data Management and the importance of Data Governance in the DAMA framework.

But… What exactly is data management? 

Quoting DAMA, DM is: the development, implementation, and oversight of plans, policies, programmes, and practices that deliver, control, protect, and enhance the value of data and information assets throughout their lifecycles. Since its founding in 1980, many things have changed by 2020. There are new technologies, and there are even companies whose assets consist almost exclusively of data, but the DAMA methodology remains the best foundation for professionals who want to focus their knowledge on information assets. DAMA defines Data Management as a set of 11 areas of knowledge and, thanks to the DMBoK 2 reference, has created a framework of excellence and best practices that is a benchmark worldwide. A volume of more than 700 pages that DM professionals use and cite almost as if it were the Bible. DMBoK 2 has created a framework of excellence and best practices that is a benchmark worldwide. This methodology identifies Data Management in 11 areas.

There are many frameworks, but DAMA resists changes in technology and paradigms because it is oriented towards a more semantic and philosophical side of DM. If it is true that someone says that “poets” are needed for Data Management, they surely have DMBok2 on their bookshelves.

Below are some important points from both presentations:

DAMA: A framework for Data Management

• It is data that allows us to move from the dimension of “how” to do things to the dimension of “what” makes sense to do, which is the real turning point of Digital Transformation.
• Data Governance, what is data governance? “Data governance is the exercise of decision-making and authority for matters related to data,” according to the Data Governance Institute's definition.
• If we continue with DAMA's approach to data management, data governance is the central element. There is no data management without it.
  • • Data governance prepares us for the digital transformation process.
    • Data governance assists us in making efficient decisions.
    • Data governance enables us to improve processes.
    • Maximise the revenue-generating potential of data and leverage data lineage.
• The DAMA methodology defines Data Management as a set of 11 areas of knowledge and, thanks to the DMBoK2 reference, has created a framework of excellence and best practices that is a benchmark worldwide.
  • • It is not possible to adequately control data and transform it into reliable information without addressing DM in its entirety.
      • • Data Governance
        • Data architecture
        • Data modelling and design
        • Data storage and operations
    • Security, integration, and management of documents and content.
      • Data Security
      • Data integration and interoperability
      • Document and content management
    • DW & BI, Master data, metadata and quality.
      • Reference data and teachers
      • Data warehousing and Business Intelligence
      • Metadata
      • Data quality
• Data governance begins with data management infrastructure. We will be able to set up a governance model as long as we have chosen an infrastructure geared towards it: 
  • • Decentralised organisation 
    • Organisational Network
    • Centralised organisation
    • Hybrid Organisation
    • Federated Organisation

Data governance in the DAMA framework

According to DMBoK2:

• • • Data governance is defined as the exercise of authority and control (planning, monitoring, and enforcement) over the management of data assets.
    • The data governance function guides the other data management functions.
    • The purpose of data governance is to ensure that data is managed correctly, in accordance with defined policies and best practices.
    • Data governance vs. data management = supervision vs. execution.
    • Data governance requires planning, not only to represent organisational change but also simply because it involves many complex activities that need to be coordinated.
    • A scalable, interactive implementation based on limited use cases maximises the chances of success and reduces potential frustration among the teams involved..

And something else that is VERY IMPORTANT: Technology can facilitate and accelerate data governance, but it cannot meet basic needs on its own. It requires strategy, people, and processes.

If you would like to know more about how Anjana Data can help you with your data strategy by changing the way your organisation views data governance. Request a demonstration live.

We remind you that the full video of the webinar The importance of Data Governance in the DAMA framework It is on our YouTube channel, where you will also find more videos related to data governance. You can subscribe to receive notifications of new videos.

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