As the volume and variety of data continue to grow exponentially, more businesses are turning to Master Data Management (MDM) software to help them get a handle on their data. MDM software provides a single, 360-degree view of an organization’s data, which can be extremely helpful for making informed decisions.
However, implementing data governance tools is not without its challenges. This blog post will run through six common mistakes organizations make when implementing MDM software and how to avoid them.
Not Defining the Business Objective Upfront
Before starting the implementation process, it is crucial that you take the time to define the business objectives you want to achieve with your MDM software. Without a clear understanding of what you want to achieve, selecting the right software and setting up the system to meet your needs will be difficult.
MDM software is not always the same, and it’s important to discuss with your team how you want it to work out for your company. Setting up some ground rules before starting the implementation process is essential. For example, you’ll need to decide who has access to the data and what they can do with it. You’ll also need to establish rules for data governance, such as how often data will be cleansed and how new data will be integrated into the system.
Not Getting Buy-In from Stakeholders
MDM software can touch on many different departments and systems within an organization, which is why getting buy-in from all relevant stakeholders upfront is important. You will likely encounter roadblocks later if you try to implement an MDM solution without involving the relevant stakeholders.
It’s vital to ensure that all stakeholders understand the benefits of MDM and how it can help them achieve their goals. Furthermore, they need to be aware of the changes required during and after the implementation. Only by getting buy-in from all relevant stakeholders can you hope to implement an MDM solution successfully.
Spending Too Much Time on Data Cleanup
It is essential to have clean data when setting up an MDM system; otherwise, the system will not be effective. However, spending too much time on data cleanup can delay the implementation process and cause frustration among eager users to start using the system. Instead of obsessing over every little detail, focus on getting the system up and running and clean up any remaining issues afterward.
This is why it is so important to implement data governance tools from the beginning. Data governance tools will automate many tasks associated with data cleansing, such as identifying and removing duplicates. Automating these tasks will save you time and ensure that your data is high quality.
Not Testing The System Thoroughly
Before going live with your MDM system, you must test it thoroughly to ensure it works properly. Once the system is live, it will be much more difficult (and disruptive) to make changes. Make sure to test all aspects of the system, including data entry, search functionality, reports, and security features.
When implementing an MDM system, it is crucial not to focus on one particular data domain. For example, if you are only focused on the customer data domain, you will miss out on other important data domains, such as product and supplier data.
Focusing on all relevant data domains will give you a complete view of your organization’s data. This will help you make better decisions and achieve your business objectives.
Not Assigning Enough Resources
Implementing an MDM system can be a big undertaking, so it’s essential to assign enough resources (including a budget, personnel, and time) to ensure the project is successful. Trying to do too much with too little will only set you up for failure.
One of the mistakes that can be made when implementing an MDM system is trying to do too much at once. This can often lead to frustration and a lack of progress. Taking things one step at a time is important and focusing on achievable goals. Trying to “boil the ocean” will only lead to frustration and wasted time and resources.
Not Planning for Change
Change is inevitable—especially in large organizations—so you must plan for it when implementing an MDM solution. Make sure that your system is flexible enough to accommodate future changes in organizational structure, business processes, and data requirements. By taking future changes into account upfront, you can save yourself a lot of headaches down the road.
Conclusion
Implementing an MDM solution can help businesses get a better handle on their ever-growing volume of data; however, there are a few pitfalls to avoid during the implementation process if you want your project to be successful. By being aware of these mistakes ahead of time and taking steps to prevent them, you can set your organization up for success with its new MDM system.
