Best Practices for Implementing an MDM Solution

Best practices

The best practices are based on our experience throughout the years and on what we experienced while implementing an MDM solution for many customers.

1. Use a framework to assess current state, needs, and gaps.

The purpose of the framework is to provide visibility to the problem. This is the first step to understanding the needs and getting an Executive Sponsor engaged. As we described in the first article, this is of major importance to make your Master Data Management project a success.

2. Identify and prioritize business goals in a business case before creating the roadmap.

The strategy should provide value where it is most relevant and can impact the business. Defining the business goals and translating them into a business case helps you sell the Master Data Management initiative, both to your leaders and your business.

3. Get executive sponsorship.

As with any enterprise project, the correct level of sponsorship is key. Sponsorship must go beyond providing budget – key business stakeholders must be involved in the Master Data Management project boards that will drive decision-making and resolve interdepartmental conflicts.

4. Get business involved.

Check out our first article!

There are different ways to get a view of the strategic objectives and business drivers. By doing some desk research and reading documentation, such as annual reports, you can already get a good view of the business value.

But in the end, there is only one way to get a view on the expected business value: go out there, and talk to the business, either individually by doing interviews or by organizing workshops for a group of involved stakeholders.

5. Institute MDM governance and stewardship.

A governance group is the only way master data will remain correct, complete, and consistent, and provide ongoing business value. The governance group and the governance processes will make the difference between a sustainable program, and just a successful deployment.

6. Expect and plan for organizational and cultural changes with communication, training, and change management.

If done right, MDM will ultimately have an impact on a significant segment of the enterprise. To minimize any disruption, set the stage for sustainability by providing organizational communication and training.

7. Balance the approach to engaging stakeholders with consideration for the organization’s culture.

Choose initial stakeholders based on willingness to participate.

Don’t try to engage every possible stakeholder at the outset. Every stakeholder of a particular data domain stands to gain from an MDM Program and should be involved eventually. Engaging a small cross-section initially to work through your unique challenges sets the pattern for others and avoids getting bogged down by too much demand.

8. Establish MDM as an ongoing program, not a one-time initiative.

Make incremental changes and provide ongoing governance that guides future improvements. Use the framework and roadmap to scope and direct the program and evolve them as the program evolves.

All issues cannot be known upfront, so learn, adjust, and improve incrementally. Small, prioritized, end-to-end efforts can add large business value if they are the right ones. This helps demonstrate value and builds business support.

9. Create and link MDM metrics based on business goals, business value, and data quality goals.

Design and build measurements into the solution. Evaluate measures against expected results and use within the governance process to manage and improve. Metrics are a window into how well you are meeting expected business goals, value, process capabilities, and data quality.

Summarizing the best practices  

• Use a framework to assess current state, needs, and gaps
• Identify and prioritize business goals in a business case before creating the roadmap
• Get executive sponsorship
• Get business involved
• Institute MDM governance and stewardship
• Expect and plan for organizational and cultural changes with communication, training, and change management 
• Balance the approach to engaging stakeholders with a consideration for the organization’s culture 
• Establish MDM as an ongoing program, not a one-time initiative 
• Create and link MDM metrics based on business goals, business value, and data quality goals 

About Alluvion

We are an international team of SAP master data experts dedicated to achieving and maintaining reliable data.

We accomplish this through both advisory and implementation. We excel in Master Data Management from a profound understanding of this complex domain (as well as in product, technology, business processes, and methodology.)

What sets us apart is our pragmatic approach and the ability to deliver rapid, tangible results.

 Should you be interested to find out more, feel free to reach out!