Setting up metadata management for success

Ultimately, a great metadata program helps companies to answer fundamental data questions such as, What data do we have? How is it classified? Where is our data? Who is responsible for it? How can I find it? Can I use it? Being able to answer these fundamental questions is what makes a metadata management program successful. The CDAO and metadata management leaders, together, must share the value proposition of this capability. My advice is not to be afraid to share what can go wrong without strong metadata management but also what can go right when you have a strong metadata management program.

While at face value this capability may seem fairly straightforward, the implementation of a strong program across a large company takes time, focus, and clear communication about the value. I recommend starting with a data domain or a single system and working across your company to drive implementation. While you work to capture metadata, launching...