The most important step in starting a Master Data Management (MDM) solution — and really any project — is to listen to the people involved. In order for an implementation to be successful you need the voices of all stakeholders.
This also helps to make sure that the outcome of your MDM solution is aligned with your company’s larger corporate objectives. Invested stakeholders will view the MDM as a tool to achieve the goals they already have, not a burden of more complication. It should be expected that the MDM will empower their teams to accomplish goals with less resources, enabling strategic thinking and departmental growth.
If you don’t manage to get your stakeholders’ support you will meet obstacles every step of the way. That is why stakeholder alignment is such a vital part of the MDM project implementation. The Chaos Report from Standish Group puts stakeholder sponsorship as 15% of where invested time needs to go for success. It is part of a four way tie for where most of your time and effort needs to be directed.
Once you have the input and support of stakeholders you will find the implementation goes much smoother and the benefits become much more impactful. However you can’t stop at attaining stakeholder alignment, you also have to keep it. Don’t forget to listen to and include the stakeholders throughout the life of the implementation.
In addition to stakeholders you also need an empowered project team. If the team you have leading the implementation is not enthusiastic about it or not empowered to achieve objectives you will not realize the full potential of an MDM.
The team should be empowered to decide the best way to meet goals and timelines. They must be held accountable for meeting milestones and successfully completing goals, but should be allowed to decide the best ways in which to achieve them.
Your team needs to want an MDM solution for your company. So creating buy-in and enthusiasm from your team will be one of the first steps together. The implementation team should consist of more than just members of the IT department. Every department in your company works with data in one way or another.
It’s very important to get input from each department and to make sure they are represented on the team. This will contribute to a well-rounded and overall useful MDM. Each person included needs to know that their ideas and input are valued and needed. While all suggestions may not be possible each item brought up should be looked at and considered respectfully. This will let team members know they are empowered to make an impact.
Once you have your established, empowered and excited team you need to make sure everyone knows what tasks of the project they are responsible for. A truly empowered team knows where they stand and what their value is.
Is your company considering a Master Data Management project? Would you like help working that into your company’s strategy? Connect with us at Aspirant by filling out the form below. We'd love to help get you started or bring your project across the finish line!