Modernize Data Architecture for Measurable Business Results
- Data architecture projects have often failed in the past, causing businesses today to view the launch of a new project as a costly initiative with unclear business value.
- New technologies in big data and analytics are requiring organizations to modernize their data architecture, but most organizations have failed to spend the time and effort refining the appropriate data models and blueprints that enable them to do so.
- As the benefits for data architecture are often diffused across an organization’s information management practice, it can be difficult for the business to understand the value and necessity of data architecture.
Our Advice
Critical Insight
- At the heart of tomorrow’s insights-driven enterprises is a modern data environment anchored in fit-for-purpose data architectures.
- The role of traditional data architecture is transcending beyond organizational boundaries and its focus is shifting from “keeping the lights on” (i.e. operational data and BI) to providing game-changing insights gleaned from untapped big data.
Impact and Result
- Perform a diagnostic assessment of your present day architecture and identify the capabilities of your future “to be” environment to position your organization to capitalize on new opportunities in the data space.
- Use Info-Tech’s program diagnostic assessment and guidance for developing a strategic roadmap to support your team in building a fit-for purpose data architecture practice.
- Create a data delivery architecture that harmonizes traditional and modern architectural opportunities.
Modernize Data Architecture for Measurable Business Results Research & Tools
Start here – read the Executive Brief
Read our concise Executive Brief to find out why you should modernize your data architecture, review Info-Tech’s methodology, and understand the four ways we can support you in completing this project.Besides the small introduction, subscribers and consulting clients within this management domain have access to:
- Modernize Data Architecture for Measurable Business Results – Phases 1-3
1. Develop a data architecture vision
Plan your data architecture project and align it with the business and its strategic vision.
- Modernize Data Architecture for Measurable Business Results – Phase 1: Develop a Data Architecture Vision
- Modernize Data Architecture Project Charter
- Data Architecture Strategic Planning Workbook
2. Assess data architecture capabilities
Evaluate the current and target capabilities of your data architecture, using the accompanying diagnostic assessment to identify performance gaps and build a fit-for-purpose practice.
- Modernize Data Architecture for Measurable Business Results – Phase 2: Assess Data Architecture Capabilities
- Data Architecture Assessment and Roadmap Tool
- Initiative Definition Tool
3. Develop a data architecture roadmap
Translate your planned initiatives into a sequenced roadmap.
- Modernize Data Architecture for Measurable Business Results – Phase 3: Develop a Data Architecture Roadmap
- Modernize Data Architecture Roadmap Presentation Template
Workshop: Modernize Data Architecture for Measurable Business Results
Workshops offer an easy way to accelerate your project. If you are unable to do the project yourself, and a Guided Implementation isn't enough, we offer low-cost delivery of our project workshops. We take you through every phase of your project and ensure that you have a roadmap in place to complete your project successfully.
1 Develop a Data Architecture (DA) Vision
The Purpose
Discuss key business drivers and strategies.
Identify data strategies.
Develop a data architecture vision.
Assess data architecture practice capabilities.
Key Benefits Achieved
A data architecture vision aligned with the business.
A completed assessment of the organization’s current data architecture practice capabilities.
Identification of "to be" data architecture practice capabilities.
Identification of key gaps.
Activities
1.1 Explain approach and value proposition
1.2 Discuss business vision and key drivers
1.3 Discover business pain points and needs
1.4 Determine data strategies
1.5 Assess DA practice capabilities
Outputs
Data strategies
Data architecture vision
Current and target capabilities for the modernized DA practice
2 Assess DA Core Capabilities (Part 1)
The Purpose
Assess the enterprise data model (EDM).
Assess current and target data warehouse, BI/analytics, and big data architectures.
Key Benefits Achieved
A completed assessment of the organization’s current EDM, data warehouse, BI and analytics, and big data architectures.
Identification of "to be" capabilities for the organization’s EDM, data warehouse, BI and analytics, and big data architectures.
Identification of key gaps.
Activities
2.1 Present an overarching DA capability model
2.2 Assess current and target EDM capabilities
2.3 Assess current/target data warehouse, BI/analytics, and big data architectures
2.4 Identify gaps and high level strategies
Outputs
Target capabilities for EDM
Target capabilities for data warehouse architecture, BI architecture, and big data architecture
3 Assess DA Core Capabilities (Part 2)
The Purpose
Assess EDM.
Assess current/target MDM, metadata, data integration, and content architectures.
Assess dynamic data models.
Key Benefits Achieved
A completed assessment of the organization’s current MDM, metadata, data integration, and content architectures.
Identification of “to be” capabilities for the organization’s MDM, metadata, data integration, and content architectures.
Identification of key gaps.
Activities
3.1 Present an overarching DA capability model
3.2 Assess current and target MDM, metadata, data integration, and content architectures
3.3 Assess data lineage and data delivery model
3.4 Identify gaps and high level strategies
Outputs
Target capabilities for MDM architecture, metadata architecture, data integration architecture, and document & content architecture
Target capabilities for data lineage/delivery
4 Analyze Gaps and Formulate Strategies
The Purpose
Map performance gaps and document key initiatives from the diagnostic assessment.
Identify additional gaps and action items.
Formulate strategies and initiatives to address priority gaps.
Key Benefits Achieved
Prioritized gap analysis.
Improvement initiatives and related strategies.
Activities
4.1 Map performance gaps to business vision, pain points, and needs
4.2 Identify additional gaps
4.3 Consolidate/rationalize/prioritize gaps
4.4 Formulate strategies and actions to address gaps
Outputs
Prioritized gaps
Data architecture modernization strategies
5 Develop a Data Architecture Roadmap
The Purpose
Plot initiatives and strategies on a strategic roadmap.
Key Benefits Achieved
A roadmap with prioritized and sequenced initiatives.
Milestone plan.
Executive report.
Activities
5.1 Transform strategies into a plan of action
5.2 Plot actions on a prioritized roadmap
5.3 Identify and discuss next milestone plan
5.4 Compile an executive report
Outputs
Data architecture modernization roadmap
Data architecture assessment and roadmap report (from analyst team)