Preface to the Second Edition

The DAMA International Foundation is pleased to publish the Second edition of the DAMA Dictionary of Data Management. The DAMA-DMBOK Guide is a “definitive introduction” to data management, summarizing data management goals, principles, processes, deliverables, roles, technology, practices, and organizational/cultural issues.

The First Edition was originally drafted as the Glossary Appendix for the DAMA Guide to the Data Management Body of Knowledge (DAMA-DMBOK Guide^®, a trademark of the DAMA International Foundation). Development of the DAMA-DMBOK Guide began in 2006, and DAMA Foundation Board quickly realized the value of the Glossary in its own right, and urged for the early completion and publishing of the Glossary as the DAMA Dictionary of Data Management, which was done in 2008.

We offer the Second Edition of the DAMA Dictionary of Data Management, a compendium of over 2,000 terms, to an industry in great need of clarity in its terminology and semantics. While experts may never reach 100% agreement, we believe there is general consensus agreement with these definitions across the data management profession. We hope this Dictionary will be as successful as the First edition, and continue to be taken up as a useful reference tool for data management professionals, managers and business data stewards.

The Dictionary also continues to be an important integration tool guiding collaborative development of the DAMA-DMBOK Guide. This Second Edition refers back to the DAMA-DMBOK and completes an alignment with it.

DAMA International and The DAMA International Foundation wish to thank Susan Earley of DAMA Chicago who has taken the baton on this second version as editor, and has steered this fine follow-on and expanded version that you find here. Her volunteer efforts to produce this document on behalf of DAMA are most appreciated. We also wish to thank Mark Mosley, the first edition editor for setting the benchmark for this important contribution to our profession. Mark is a senior data management thinker also living and working in Chicago.

The DAMA International Foundation was established in 2005 as the education and research affiliate organization of DAMA International, the world’s premiere professional organization for data management professionals. The mission of the DAMA International Foundation is to lead the data management profession to maturity through funding education initiatives and sponsored research.

There will continue to be productive and valuable discussions over the meaning and use of data management terms. This Second Edition provides a new foundation for these discussions. As the definitions are continually refined and clarified, DAMA intends to update and publish regularly scheduled revisions. Your comments, concerns, and contributions are welcomed. Please contact the editor at [email protected] to offer your suggestions for improvement.

Deborah Henderson

President, DAMA International Foundation,

Toronto, Ontario

March 2011