Data management

See also: Information management and Knowledge management

The data lifecycle

Data management comprises all disciplines related to handling data as a valuable resource, it is the practice of managing an organization's data so it can be analyzed for decision making.

Concept

The concept of data management emerged alongside the evolution of computing technology. In the 1950s, as computers became more prevalent, organizations began to grapple with the challenge of organizing and storing data efficiently. Early methods relied on punch cards and manual sorting, which were labor-intensive and prone to errors. The introduction of database management systems in the 1970s marked a significant milestone, enabling structured storage and retrieval of data.

By the 1980s, relational database models revolutionized data management, emphasizing the importance of data as an asset and fostering a data-centric mindset in business. This era also saw the rise of data governance practices, which prioritized the organization and regulation of data to ensure quality and compliance. Over time, advancements in technology, such as cloud computing and big data analytics, have further refined data management, making it a cornerstone of modern business operations.

As of 2025, data management encompasses a wide range of practices, from data storage and security to analytics and decision-making, reflecting its critical role in driving innovation and efficiency across industries.

Topics in Data Management

The Data Management Body of Knowledge, DMBoK, developed by the Data Management Association, DAMA, outlines key knowledge areas that serve as the foundation for modern data management practices. suggesting a framework for organizations to manage data as a strategic asset.

Data Governance

Main articles: Data governance, Data steward, Data strategy, Data ethics, and Data custodian

Setting policies, procedures, and accountability frameworks to ensure that data is accurate, secure, and used responsibly throughout the organization.

Data Architecture

Main articles: Data Architecture and Data mesh

Focuses on designing the overall structure of data systems. It ensures that data flows are efficient and that systems are scalable, adaptable, and aligned with business needs.

Data Modeling and Design

Main articles: Data modeling and Database design

This area centers on creating models that logically represent data relationships. It’s essential for both designing databases and ensuring that data is structured in a way that facilitates analysis and reporting.

Data Storage and Operations

Main articles: Database administration and Database management system

Deals with the physical storage of data and its day-to-day management. This includes everything from traditional data centers to cloud-based storage solutions and ensuring efficient data processing.

Data Integration and Interoperability

Main articles: Data integration; Extract, transform, load; Extract, load, transform; and Dataflows

Ensures that data from various sources can be seamlessly shared and combined across multiple systems, which is critical for comprehensive analytics and decision-making.

Document and Content Management

Main articles: Document management system, Content management, and Records management

Focuses on managing unstructured data such as documents, multimedia, and other content, ensuring that it is stored, categorized, and easily retrievable.

Data Warehousing, Business Intelligence and Data Analytics

Main articles: Data warehouse, Business intelligence, data mart, Data analytics, Data analysis, data mining, and Data science

Involves consolidating data into repositories that support analytics, reporting, and business insights.

Metadata Management

Main articles: Metadata management, Metadata, Metadata registry, Metadata discovery, and Metadata publishing

Manages data about data, including definitions, origin, and usage, to enhance the understanding and usability of the organization’s data assets.

Data Quality Management

Main articles: Data quality, Data quality assurance, Data integrity, Data cleansing, and Data discovery

Dedicated to ensuring that data remains accurate, complete, and reliable, this area emphasizes continuous monitoring and improvement practices.

Reference and master data management

Main articles: Reference data and Master data management

Reference data comprises standardized codes and values for consistent interpretation across systems. Master data management (MDM) governs and centralizes an organization’s critical data, ensuring a unified, reliable information source that supports effective decision-making and operational efficiency.

Data security

Main article: Data security

Data security refers to a comprehensive set of practices and technologies designed to protect digital information and systems from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, modification, or destruction. It encompasses encryption, access controls, monitoring, and risk assessments to maintain data integrity, confidentiality, and availability.

See also: Data access, Data erasure, and Data theft

Data privacy

Main article: Data privacy

Data privacy involves safeguarding individuals’ personal information by ensuring its collection, storage, and use comply with consent, legal standards, and confidentiality principles. It emphasizes protecting sensitive data from misuse or unauthorized access while respecting users' rights.

See also: Data subject and Pseudonymization

Data Management as a foundation of Information Management

See also: Information Management and Knowledge Management

The distinction between data and derived value is illustrated by the "information ladder" or the DIKAR model.

The DIKAR model - Data, Information, Knowledge, Action, Response. A model showing the relationship between data, information and knowledge.

The "DIKAR" model stands for Data, Information, Knowledge, Action, and Result. It is a framework used to bridge the gap between raw data and actionable outcomes. The model emphasizes the transformation of data into information, which is then interpreted to create knowledge. This knowledge guides actions that lead to measurable results. DIKAR is widely applied in organizational strategies, helping businesses align their data management processes with decision-making and performance goals. By focusing on each stage, the model ensures that data is effectively utilized to drive informed decisions and achieve desired outcomes. It is particularly valuable in technology-driven environments.

The "information ladder" illustrates the progression from data (raw facts) to information (processed data), knowledge (interpreted information), and ultimately wisdom (applied knowledge). Each step adds value and context, enabling better decision-making. It emphasizes the transformation of unstructured inputs into meaningful insights for practical use.

Data management in research

In research, Data management refers to the systematic process of handling data throughout its lifecycle. This includes activities such as collecting, organizing, storing, analyzing, and sharing data to ensure its accuracy, accessibility, and security.

Effective data management also involves creating a data management plan, DMP, addressing issues like ethical considerations, compliance with regulatory standards, and long-term preservation. Proper management enhances research transparency, reproducibility, and the efficient use of resources, ultimately contributing to the credibility and impact of research findings. It is a critical practice across disciplines to ensure data integrity and usability both during and after a research project.

See also: FAIR data and Laboratory information management system

Big Data

big data refers to the collection and analyses of massive sets of data. While big data is a recent phenomenon, the requirement for data to aid decision-making traces back to the early 1970s with the emergence of decision support systems (DSS). These systems can be considered as the initial iteration of data management for decision support.

See also: Data proliferation

Financial and economic outcomes

Studies indicate that customer transactions account for a 40% increase in the data collected annually, which means that financial data has a considerable impact on business decisions. Therefore, modern organizations are using big data analytics to identify 5 to 10 new data sources that can help them collect and analyze data for improved decision-making. Jonsen (2013) explains that organizations using average analytics technologies are 20% more likely to gain higher returns compared to their competitors who have not introduced any analytics capabilities in their operations. Also, IRI reported that the retail industry could experience an increase of more than $10 billion each year resulting from the implementation of modern analytics technologies. Therefore, the following hypothesis can be proposed: Economic and financial outcomes can impact how organizations use data analytics tools.

See also

• Open data
• Data curation
• Data retention

Further reading

• Sebastian-Coleman, Laura (2018). Navigating the Labyrinth: An Executive Guide to Data Management. New York: Morgan Kaufmann.
• The DAMA Guide to the Data Management Body of Knowledge (DMBoK): Data Management for Practitioners and Professionals (2 ed.). DAMA International, Technics Publications. 2017.

External links

• "Data Management Association, DAMA". dama.org. Retrieved 8 Apr 2025. Association for Data Management professionals, providing advice on best practice and professional certification
• "dataversity.net". Retrieved 8 Apr 2025. Website providing learning resources on data related topics
• "Longwood Medical Area Research Data Management Working Group". Harvard University. Retrieved 8 Apr 2025. Working group promoting best practice in research data management
• "Data Management". Information Week. Retrieved 8 Apr 2025. News site covering Data Management