In the beginning….

Remember when product or personnel or instructional information resided in Binders?

Maybe you don’t. Did I just age myself?  I’m sure I did.

Everything.  Everything was in a binder.  Need to find a part number?  Binder.   Need an employee social security number?  Binder (gasp!).  Need directions to turn on the computers?  Binder.

And, what was used to fill those binders?  Word Docs and Excel Sheets, and later on maybe some PowerPoint Slides mixed in. Oh – and paper.  Sorry trees.

Fast forward some years, and share files make their way into the world.  All the people with access to the folders can get in there and take what they need, a giant corporation “my documents”. Oh – and those people with access, they can change those documents if they’re not protected.  Or, they can’t change those documents if they’re protected (what’s the password again?). Trees are a little safer, but the information is more disorganized.

But how many of you reading are still using folders to store all your information?  After all these years, how many folders are there of so much information you don’t know where to start?  How many folders belong to Joe or Sally and the things they worked on when they did their job for your company (what did they do again? Do we still have that position)?  How many phone calls or chats or emails are you making to find right version of information?  Do you even know who to ask?

Did these questions resonate with you?  If yes, your Master Data is not well. It’s likely that technological advancements within your company have provided you with several systems to put information in too, and likely all of them have overlapping “same” information that just isn’t the same.  Your Master Data isn’t well.  And don’t get me started on Digital Assets (Whose assets? What assets? Which folder are those in again?).

And where is all this unwell information going?  Throughout the World Wide Web.  The Digital Shelf is the winning shelf.  Are your products/services on it AND accurate? Are you winning?

So now what?

It’s time for Master Data Wellness.

How?

The first step in this process is to start with discovery sessions. Identify stakeholders within your organization that hold the keys to your accurate information.  These people are generally not just your department heads.  While they’re needed for approval, the people creating the information should also be on board.  There will be a bit of change management at play, so make sure the right people are involved.

As your data model takes shape, the next step will be figuring out where to put the data.  Master Data and PIM solutions vary by design, and not all systems fit all needs.  We all have different needs, after all.  Maybe you want a Master Data system (backend/raws) and a PIM (finished goods/sellables/services) to attach to it.  Maybe just a PIM.

Once your data model is established, verified data acquired, rules established, Data Solution realized, then you are ready for implementation. This is where your data governance hierarchy will come into play and change management.  Those people involved in the stakeholder discovery sessions will now champion the new product(s) and help spread the culture Master Data Wellness.

But….that sounds like a lot.

It is.

But that’s where experts that specialize in Master Data Wellness come into play.  At Amplifi, we can help navigate all these steps and more.  Put away the binders (or folders, or repetitive digital systems).

Let us help.  Data is all we do. Contact us now