This truly is a monumental piece of work!
The book is an exhaustive compilation of every possible subject and issue that warrants consideration in initiating and operating a Data Management responsibility in a modern Enterprise. It is impressive in its comprehensiveness. It not only identifies the goals and objectives of every Data Management issue and responsibility but it also suggests the natural organizational participants and end results that should be expected.
Having said that, I would not call this a “how to” book, although there is considerable advice about what to do and what not to do relative to many practices surrounding Data Management and particularly, Data Development. Still, it is not a technical treatise. It does have a plethora of references to technical, “how to” books that would literally fill a library for those who are interested in the technical details of Data Management.
I have been associated with DAMA from its very inception and have seen the evolution of this Body of Knowledge, both in its practice as well as in this document over the many years, which now approximates nearly 50!! The publication began as a non-trivial, sorely needed compilation of articles and substantive facts about the little understood subject of data management orchestrated by some folks from the DAMA Chicago Chapter. It was unique at the time, as there was little substantive reference material on the subject. It has grown to become this pragmatic practitioner’s handbook that deserves a place on every Data Management professional’s bookshelf. There is a wealth of information for the novice data beginner, but it is also invaluable to the old timer as a check-list and validation of their understanding and responsibilities to ensure that nothing “falls through the cracks”! It is impressive in its breadth and completeness.
The stated goals of the book in short are:
- To build a consensus …
- To provide standard definitions …
- To identify guiding principles …
- To overview commonly accepted good practices …
- To briefly identify common issues …
- To clarify the scope and boundaries …
- To guide readers to additional resources for further understanding.
I would say it succeeds handsomely in accomplishing its goals.
The “DAMA Guide to The Data Management Body of Knowledge (DAMA-DMBOK Guide) deserves a place on every Data Management professional’s bookshelf. It will serve as a guide for setting expectations and assigning responsibilities for managing and practicing what has become the very most critical resource owned by an Enterprise as it (the Enterprise) progresses into the Information Age … DATA!
Thank you to all the contributors and especially to the editors of this monumental undertaking.
Thank you to all the present and future Data Managers who are blazing trails into the complexities of the Information Age. This piece of work will be for you, a valuable Guide.
John A. Zachman
Glendale, California
November, 2008