Foreword

Data management professionals have long struggled to balance their work with sharing why data is so important, assisting with the culture change needed to bring data to the forefront, and finally soliciting leadership commitment to improvement. This balancing act is even more important today as the sheer volume, variety, and velocity of data increases exponentially.

As good data people, we turn to books to help us. More specifically, we turn to the DAMA-DMBOK2. The tome of 600-odd pages is a mammoth read and often dives deep into important data management concepts. Great for building your data management framework, but pretty unrealistic when trying to get the point across to the boss. 

We need something between the proverbial elevator pitch and the DAMA-DMBOK2. Something that simply and pragmatically enables leadership to understand the importance of effective data management – not only for the success of the organization, but also for their own personal success. Something that doesn’t weigh more than a small child, is small enough to be carried around in a laptop bag and provides the executive précis (the cliff notes) of data management.

And this is what Laura has so aptly managed to create in Navigating the Labyrinth. It’s a pocket edition of the DAMA-DMBOK2, something that every data management professional should get two copies of – one for themselves and one for their manager (or, better yet, for the executive most likely to understand data as opportunity). This book will become their go-to reference and their lifeline. It will become dog-eared from use, notes will appear in the margins, and peers will all look longingly at it and wish for their own copy.

DAMA International is incredibly proud of the DAMA-DMBOK2. Many years of work and well over 100 people have put huge effort into creating what we believe is “the” framework for data management. Now Navigating the Labyrinth is poised to break that executive barrier and deliver data management where it belongs – right up there with all the other business imperatives. 

On a personal level, I am proud of the DAMA-DMBOK2, but I am even more proud of this lightweight yet incredibly valuable addition to the DAMA fold. I believe that for each person who buys and reads the DMBOK2, it’s very likely that three to four or more will buy and read Navigating the Labyrinth. Thank you, Laura.

Sue Geuens
President, DAMA International