Data Management and Data Integration Human Dynamics Consulting

Data management and data integration efforts often spend a large percentage of the cost working out issues regarding human interactions. For example, we often see organizations spend tens or hundreds of millions of dollars on a data integration effort such as a master data management, data governance effort or data warehousing effort and 60% of the money is actually spent regarding working out conflicts over which approach is correct, overcoming obstacles regarding trust, redoing efforts because of communication issues and on other human dynamics factors.

Len Silverston at Universal Data Models, LLC has spent the last 25 years on data management and data integration efforts and asked the question “What is the most important factor in the success of these efforts?” After reviewing dozens of data and information integration efforts, the answer to this question that seems apparent is how the organizations works together well and handles cultural, political, and human factors.

In our experience and in the experience of hundreds of organizations that we have worked with in human dynamics seminars, there is a high rate of failure in data integration efforts and one of the most frequent reasons given for failure is “politics”. A key reason for lack of data integration is that people are not integrated and data silos largely stem from people silos.

Thus in 2004, Universal Data Models, LLC decided to focus on this area of human dynamics, politics, culture, power, and develop techniques, training and consulting to help organization become much more effective in integrating data and information.

Human Dynamics Consulting Offerings

1 day Human Dynamics Workshop - We have given human dynamics workshops many times in the last number of years and they have been extremely well received and have made a big difference in more effectively integrating data as well as people! This workshop focuses on key principles, techniques and tools that are critical in this type of enterprise data management effort. As you know, very often the human dynamics involved can lead to issues that are extremely costly and knowing what to do in advance can make the difference between success and failure. Therefore investing just a little can go a long way to a successful effort. Some of the material includes looking at very common enterprise data management scenarios that are likely to occur and then applying key principles and tools that involve understanding the various motivations, how to establish clear enterprise wide vision regarding data, how to handle data sharing issues involving different types of trust that block data sharing, and how to handle conflicts among data professionals (such as modelers fighting over the “right” answer).

Human dynamics assessment and recommendations – Usually, 50% of solving human dynamics issues is clearly identifying what the real issues are (which are often hidden)! This engagement consists of days involving a 2 assessment visit, 2 days of analysis and documentation, and 1 day on site to report findings. This may be shortened or extended based upon the needs and specific circumstances. The first visit involves interviews with key people on the integration effort as well as a group meeting. This is followed up with 2 days of offsite work to review, analyze and document the various issues and possible/recommended solutions. The assessment highlights various issues that may be blocking progress as well as suggestions for improvement, streamlining the effort, and being successful. Finally an additional day is scheduled to report on the findings both individually with key people involved in the effort and also in a group meeting.

Ongoing human dynamics consulting – This involves ongoing consultations via telephone meetings over a period of time to monitor the issues and action plan as well as to address and resolve human dynamics issues in enterprise data management. Usually this involves about 1 hour per week (or every other week) to improve human dynamics and effectively.