Frequently asked questions about master data management

Have you heard of the term “master data management” (MDM) but aren’t sure what it is and how it’s useful? These FAQ’s answer your questions about what MDM is, the role that data quality plays, and how to get started.

What is master data management (MDM)?

Master data is data that needs to be shared by multiple systems or business processes, and it is shared in a type of master data repository. This repository can include both analytical and reference data. Examples of master data include customer, product, asset, location, employee, organisational units, or chart of accounts data. Master data management (MDM) is a concept where applications are used to house a comprehensive master data repository of all critical data, which acts as a common point of reference. The data is used to support business intelligence and create a reference that shows transactions and analysis. MDM itself isn’t a technology, however; it is an ongoing program that includes data quality, data intelligence, and data modeling, among other activities.

How is MDM useful for my organisation?

Chances are, your organisation has some disparate, overlapping systems that are inconsistent with one another. MDM is a way to share master data across these applications and maintain consistency. It can also:

1. Ensure businesses don’t have inaccurate or duplicate records
2. House reference data that helps applications share a consistent definition of relevant reference data
3. Provide hierarchy and relationship management for facets of the business (for example, products or customers)

The business payoffs are streamlined processes, better decision making, and improved speed-to-revenue.

How do MDM and data quality relate to each other?

Think of data quality as the atoms that comprise a life form—your MDM program. You won’t get much mileage from MDM if the data itself isn’t fit for purpose. Data cleansing and standardizing can prevent poor quality data from entering your system and help you avoid rework. In addition, concentrating on data quality first may change your MDM priorities by exposing underlying flaws and root causes. That’s why qata quality is an essential component of transmitting the value of MDM.

Are MDM and Single Customer View the same thing?

Single customer view (SCV) is one potential outcome of MDM. While MDM initiatives could apply to linking internal relationships, SCV is about providing a single, consistent perspective of the data pertaining to individual customers across your business. Stack solutions are typically used by large, enterprise-level data management initiatives, but for small or mid-size businesses (SMBs) there may be solutions that can be bought piecemeal and fit together, starting with data quality.

Can small businesses implement MDM?

While comprehensive, stack solutions are traditionally purchased for enterprise-level data management, SMBs can find solutions that can be bought piecemeal and fit together, starting with data quality. As Bloor analyst Philip Howard notes, “In practice, we do not know of a single user of MDM that has not simultaneously or previously implemented data quality to support their master data.”¹ You can start in small, focused steps, like finding solutions that will help with data cleansing and data profiling.

1 Howard, Philip. “Constructing a Single Customer View.” Bloor Research International Ltd, 2017.