DAMA-DMBOK2 and DCAM®2.2 are two leading data management (maturity) models. The first article of this series is about the DAMA-DMBOK2 vs. DCAM®2.2 usage statistics.

This article will compare the usage of industry frameworks to implement data management and assess its maturity.

I have placed several polls on LinkedIn to get statistical information about framework usage. Let us take a look at the results.

The statistics of the usage of different industry guides

The polls have included questions about the sources of:

  • Data management (DM) frameworks/models used for the implementation of data management
  • Data management/governance maturity frameworks/models to assess maturity.

In each of these polls, I have added DAMA-DMBOK2 and DCAM® 2.2 as optional answers.

Let us investigate the polls’ results individually and start with the sources of data management frameworks/models.

The source of data management models

The poll has questioned the source of the framework a company uses for data management implementation. The poll’s results can be seen in Figure 1. The DAMA-DMBOK2 vs. DCAM®2.2 usage statistics provide exciting results.

Figure 1. Frameworks used to implement data management.

Two remarkable conclusions come from these results:

  1. DAMA-DMBOK has a leading role compared to other approaches.

Several reasons can explain this result:

  • Industry focus

DAMA-DMBOK2 is an industry-agnostic guide. DCAM® 2.2 has been initially developed for financial institutions. These differences explain that DAMA-DMBOK2 is a more general and popular framework.

  • Representative sample
    The poll has targeted data management professionals that are active on LinkedIn and got 64 responses. Of course, this group may not represent a variety of data management practices worldwide.
  • Presence in the market
    DAMA International has a longer history than the EDM Council. The DAMA International was established in 1980. The EDM Council started its operations in 2005.
  • Differences in the models
    DAMA-DMBOK2 provides the framework for data management. DCAM®, The Data Management Capability Assessment Model, was initially designed to measure maturity. It seems that DCAM® 2.2 has changed its focus to developing the data management program.
  • Accessibility
    DAMA-DMBOK2 publications are open to public use. You can purchase these publications for a reasonable price. To get DCAM® 2.2 publications, a company must join The EDM council. This is a more costly solution.

Now let us discuss the second conclusion.

  1. Almost 1/3 of the respondents prefer to develop their model or adjust an existing one.

There are a few explanations for this result:

Therefore, diverse companies treat and scope data management differently.

  • The absence of a practical methodology to implement data management.

DAMA-DMBOK2 has a great feature. It provides thorough knowledge about each data management capability in a compact format. Simultaneously, this framework lacks an integrated view of logical dependencies between different Knowledge Areas. DCAM® 2.2 focuses mainly on assessing the maturity of different data management components.

These limitations of the leading industry frameworks force companies to develop their models or adjust industry ones.

We can now discuss the data management/governance maturity companies use in their practices.

The source of data management maturity models

The second poll focused on the data management maturity models used by companies. In this poll, I have included a more comprehensive set of models. You can see the results in Figure 2.

Figure 2. Models used to measure data management maturity.

They lead us to the following conclusions:

  • DAMA-DMBOK2 remains the leading framework to assess maturity. The data management maturity model should be aligned with the data management model used in a company. If a company applies the DAMA-DMBOK2 model, it should also use the DAMA-DMBOK2 approach to assess maturity. Performing the mapping between two different models is often “mission impossible.”
  • DCAM® 2.2 is the second leading framework to assess maturity. DCAM® 2.2 elaborates on a very detailed and practical description of the statuses of different capabilities.
  • Still, around 5% of respondents adjust existing or develop their models. As I mentioned above, a company should align the data management model with the maturity model. If a company has developed its data management model, the maturity assessment model should match it.

Conclusions

  • Along with using industry frameworks, companies also adjust or develop their data management and data management maturity models.
  • DAMA-DMBOK2 and DCAM® 2 are leading industry frameworks. Still, for some reason, DAMA-DMBOK2 has been used more often.
    By now,  you have become familiar with DAMA-DMBOK2 vs. DCAM®2.2 usage statistics. In the following article of the series, we discuss the general differences and commonalities between the two leading industry frameworks: DAMA-DMBOK2 and DCAM® 2.2.

For more insights, visit the Data Crossroads Academy site: //academy.datacrossroads.nl.