Data Management is the field that deals with the handling of data within an organization as an essential source of analysis and decision-making. It encompasses a range of processes that guarantee that all data is accessible whenever needed and can be relied on to drive decisions.
Effective Data Management enables organizations to make use of data as a strategic asset, regardless of where it’s located in the enterprise, with better visibility, reliability and security, as well as scaling. It allows faster, more accurate and reliable analytics that give companies an advantage.
Data is an asset for organizations however, only when it is properly managed and trusted. Data management that is not well-organized can be costly and could undermine the trust of those who rely on the data.
The increase in personal data sources has brought new issues for ensuring compliance with consumer protection legislation like the GDPR and California Consumer Privacy Act. Data management processes can help to ensure that users are aware at the point of data collection, that they retain control over their own personal data and that systems can easily meet erasure and transferability requirements.
Data management requires a team of specific skills and responsibilities. They vary from directory data architects, analysts and database developers to data stewards. In larger organizations, data engineers and quality specialists who handle pipelines for data analytics are often included in the team.