Master Data Management in Practice: Achieving True Customer MDM

Summary

Some will say change is one of the guarantees in life along with death and taxes, and that is very likely true. Organizational change is a constant, and preparation is key. Stiff competition and shrinking product differentiation is forcing companies to constantly search for creative new solutions.

Coupled with this is the new generation of young adults who will be joining the workforce in the upcoming years. They have been exposed to an ever-increasing complexity of technology and information. Social media, smart phones, video games, and the ecosystem surrounding these technologies are overwhelming. For better or for worse, young adults today multitask at an alarming rate. Studies still don't show clear results on how all this behavioral change will shape the human brain and how it will impact society as a whole.

As an enterprise practice, MDM is obviously susceptible to organizational changes, as well, due to its encompassing nature. Customer MDM has tentacles reaching many levels of the organization, potentially increasing its exposure to risks and impacts. But because MDM is essentially a bridging and unifying function, change management plans should consider where those break points are and how this can be repaired and readapted in the new environment so that MDM practices can continue to provide value.

Change and the associated challenges can also bring increased opportunity. Organizations better prepared to adapt to new driving forces will be able to survive and even ...