Organizations are coming to the realization that legacy digital processes and operational models must be updated, not only to remain competitive in today’s market, but to continue to exist in the face of increasing digital and business disruptions.

Digital transformation is difficult for many reasons, but data normalization and management are particularly challenging. However, managing your data well is a challenge worth taking on as it can help you underpin new products and services, streamline operations, and provide better customer experiences. Improving data management leads to increased growth and revenue.

So, what do you need to ensure your data management efforts will be better than before? Ensuring good governance, including policies and standards, of course. But also consider the following:

• Identifying all sources of critical data (including legacy systems) and defining data standards—from tactical formatting to how it is used throughout organizational processes.
• Securing resourcing (funding) and a proper plan to get your data program up and running. Without a sustainable data management plan, your program will stall and not be executed.
• Communicating early and often about the data management plan, relying on the standards steward to help with the organizational change.
• Measuring data standards often and reporting out to the organization and management, in a transparent way. Everyone will be motivated by improving numbers, and areas that are not positively changing can be targeted for additional support in order to fall into alignment.
• Recognizing that it took many years for data to be intertwined, manipulated, distorted, and generally messed-up though variations of databases and systems. This is an organizational challenge and it will take time to resolve it.

Starting off on the right note and acting deliberately can ensure that your organization’s chances for success are increased.

Photo by Boris Smokrovic on Unsplash