DAMA DMBOK Offers Good Guidance for Information Management

The Data Management Association (DAMA) International is a prominent association for data management professionals.  They have accumulated and published a Data Management Body of Knowledge (DMBOK) and a Dictionary of Terms.  For those struggling with establishing or improving their Information Management (IM) capabilities, DAMA offers some guidance that can help simplify and organize your efforts.

The DMBOK has 2 primary structural concepts that help determine the scope of your activities and then plan the work to be done.  The first are the Knowledge Areas.  Consider these to be the primary functions of a mature functioning IM program.  Most companies will not start off operating all functions.  The functions are listed in the accompanying graphic.  Getting started, most organizations will prioritize Data Architecture and Data Governance as initial knowledge areas to focus on.  Soon after, Reference & Master Data and Data Integration & Operability are often the next priorities.

The second structural concept is the Environmental Elements.  These represent the key elements specific to each of the Knowledge Areas.  They are organized into the following categories:  Goals & Principles, Organization & Culture, Activities, Deliverables, Roles & Responsibilities, Practices & Techniques, and Technology.

The Dictionary of Terms is a useful reference and resource for data management practitioners to use in educating their peers and consumers on the myriad terms associated with the DMBOK and the profession in general.

Currently Version 2 of the DMBOK is being drafted.  A publication date is set for second quarter of 2017.  DAMA describes the major changes for Version 2 on the Learning/Body of Knowledge page, including the expansion of the Knowledge Areas beyond the 10 listed in the accompanying graphic.

1 thought on “DAMA DMBOK Offers Good Guidance for Information Management”

  1. Thank you for referencing us. DAMA International’s vision is to support an empowered global community of information professionals and we recognise the overlap with our fellow organisations – together we will make it work!

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