Welcome to DAMA Corner, a source of information for data management professionals here in TDAN, the industry leading publication for people interested in learning about data administration and data management disciplines and best practices. Each column provides an update on the professional organization DAMA International, and an opportunity to share your experience with other professionals that are passionate about data!
Your interest and participation is greatly appreciated. If you are not a current member of DAMA, please read the following section to learn about others with the same interests that you have. But if you know us, please proceed on to the Update.
About DAMADAMA International is a not-for-profit, vendor independent association of technical and business professionals dedicated to advancing the concepts and practices for data resource management and enterprise information. The primary purpose of DAMA International is to promote the understanding, development and practice of managing data and information to support business strategies. DAMA International has chapters and members throughout the world.
- DAMA membership provides you with a network of data management professionals who share ideas and solutions to some of the most difficult issues in data management.
- DAMA Chapters provide cost-effective and local ongoing training hours that can apply to re-certification requirements by the Institute for Computing Professionals for Certified Data Management Professional (CDMP) and Certified Business Intelligence Professional (CBIP) designations.
- Chapter members receive vendor and training discounts provided to DAMA International by selected vendors and publishers.
- Chapters may bulk purchase DAMA International products such as the DAMA Dictionary and the DAMA Data Management Body of Knowledge at discounted rates.
If you are interested in data management, we want to meet you and help you grow in your chosen profession! To find a local DAMA chapter, go to the main website at www.dama.org and select Chapter.
Update Elections
The election results for DAMA International Board of Directors took effect January 1, 2010:
- President: Peter Aiken
- Data Management Standards: Judith Newton
- Education Services and Special Projects: Deborah Henderson
- Finance: Steve Lewis
- Member Services: Jean Anne Brown
- Online Services: Dagna Gaythorpe
The results of the election left an opening in the position of VP of Communications, as Peter Aiken moved to President. Per the by-laws, the President may temporarily fill openings on the board pending the next election. The following changes also became effective:
- Communications: Loretta Mahon Smith, leaving the Marketing position open
- Marketing: Jeanne Laughlin
Chapter News from Around the World
Map from University of Alabama
Canada: Information Resource Management Association of Canada
Contributed by John Tench
Meeting: Wednesday, March 24, 9 a.m., Toronto, Ontario. Full details on www.irmac.ca.
The DAMA Guide to the Data Management Body of Knowledge (DAMA-DMBOK): Version 1 of the DAMA-DMBOK Guide became available in April 2009, after three years of planning and collaborative development by DAMA members worldwide. The DAMA-DMBOK Guide provides a “definition introduction” to data management concepts, principles, and practices. In this session, Deborah Henderson, who envisioned, sponsored and led the project, will give a background to the project, and then preview the key concepts and diagram covering the essential ideas about each of the 10 data management functions and discussing editorial decisions and feedback received through the review process.
Following Deborah’s presentation, Mike Beauchamp will provide a “year in review” report card of the adoption of the DAMA DMBOK as the framework of reference for the recently formed TELUS Data Management Office (DMO):
- The birth of a DMO at TELUS
- TELUS DMO functions: Adopt, Adapt, or Create
- DMBOK functions and TELUS DMO priorities
- DMBOK and other DMO guidance (Burton, Forrester, Gartner, etc…)
- Adoption obstacles (bumps and forks in the road)
- Future considerations for both TELUS and the DMBOK
India: Bangalore DAMA
Contributed by Chidambaran Kollengode
Bangalore DAMA chapter was formed a couple of years ago (Oct 2006). A group of individuals who work in the data management area got together to form this chapter.
The chapter was incorporated last year. This provides a legal non-profit status for the chapter and allows us to open bank accounts. The chapter is now seeing some seed funding. All activities so far have been supported by contributions from the 7 board members of Bangalore chapter who were keen on forming this chapter.
During the last two years the chapter has conducted various seminars – including a recent one on cloud computing. The chapter is now poised for take off as we have entered into an agreement with a university to provide us free space for conducting workshops.
South Africa: DAMA Southern Africa (DAMA SA)
Contributed by Sue Geuens (Turner)
DAMA Southern Africa (DAMA SA) inaugurated on 19th February 2009 with an amazing presentation from DAMA I’s current president, Peter Aiken. From that day, we have gone from strength to strength, with the initial 6 board members as our founding members growing exponentially to the current compliment of 145 members and 18 corporate members.
At our inauguration, we had over 150 delegates from all over the country with a number of media attendees. It quickly became clear that morning that Southern African data management people had a thirst for knowledge and networking with their peers. We run regular chapter meetings in both Johannesburg and Cape Town, and our average attendance figure at these meetings is around 35. 2009 has been the year of bedding down, and 2010 will be our year of further growth and more offerings to our members. Our plans include arranging regular chapter meetings in Pretoria, Eastern Cape and Durban, as well as planning to expand to other provinces in the country. Our Board members work hard to promote DAMA and our vision wherever we are, and at any time there will be at least 2 Board Members working on presentations directly about DAMA or related to Data Management throughout the country.
We are also working on a number of Executive Breakfasts to be held during the year in various centres of the country, specifically targeting the upper level executive. As a vendor independent association, we strive to remain so, but also believe that our vendors are some of our greatest strengths. To “pay them back” for their sponsorship and adherence to our strict requirements, we have instituted our “Vendor Expo Day.” This event is due to take place in April 2010, and we are hoping to have Peter Aiken back in SA as the Keynote Speaker. This event is the only day of the year that our vendors are given centre stage – not only to showcase their wares, but also to sit on the many panel discussions to be held and offer their advice and knowledge.
For more information on DAMA SA, visit our website at www.dama.org.za or email Sue Geuens, current DAMA SA president on info@dama.org.za.
United States: DAMA Central Virginia
Contributed by Jeanne Laughlin
2010 is looking to be a very exciting and busy year for the DAMA Central Virginia Chapter. One of our board members, Dr. Peter Aiken, was elected President of DAMA International for 2010, which promises to keep our local chapter on the cutting edge of new developments in the industry. Peter hopes to visit with as many DAMA chapters and members as possible this year in order to get a read on the needs of the membership. The local board has chosen to model the membership meeting topics after Teradata’s data framework, i.e., we will focus each meeting around a specific data management area and find qualified speakers to address the fundamentals and new developments necessary to master the specific skill. Four members of the Central Virginia chapter have been invited to present at Data World 2010. These members are: Dr. Peter Aiken (Data Blueprint), Louis Darden (Health Management Corporation), Jeanne Laughlin (Data Blueprint) and Rob Reynolds (Markel Corporation). The DAMA-CV board is planning to host a partial day certification program in April and has engaged Michael Gonzales from TDWI to teach this timely and informative class. Those attending will receive DAMA certification as well as continuing education credits, and local members will receive a discount on the tuition. Finally, DAMA-CV plans to get our extended membership out this summer for a social/family gathering. This will consist of a data-picnic followed by data-volleyball, data-horseshoes, and data-activities. Here in Central Virginia, we just can’t get enough of DATA!
United States: DAMA Phoenix
Contributed by Pete Stiglich
DAMA Phoenix is proud to have Scott Ambler, the Chief Methodologist for Agile at IBM, present on the topics of Agile Methodology and Agile Modeling. He will describe these topics in detail with a special emphasis on how these affect the data management profession. The event will be held the morning of April 15th, 2010, in the Phoenix area (location tbd).
More information will be made available at www.dama-phoenix.org. For additional information or to RSVP (space will be limited), please email dama-phoenix@yahoo.com. Cost for the event is free to DAMA members and first-time guests.
United States: DAMA-Puget Sound
Contributed by Deb Weller
In December 2009, the DAMA-Puget Sound chapter celebrated its 25th Anniversary with a member party. We welcomed back several original members, including two charter board members. Manuel Ortega, a member of the original board of directors, gave an insightful “Then and Now” presentation on the change in data management over the past 25 years. DAMA-PS also awarded Michael Brackett the first-ever Honorary Membership Award for his service and contributions to DAMA-PS and the field of data management.
More so than in the past 25 years, the chapter has seen exponential growth in its membership since introducing Corporate level memberships in 2007. The 25 Corporate members represent over 300 employees who enjoy all the benefits of individual membership in our local chapter, plus the opportunity to host DAMA-PS events, survey members and showcase best practices from their organizations.
In October 2009, the Puget Sound chapter of DAMA hosted its third CDMP exam-prep session with instructor Eva Smith. During the two-day session, we reviewed test material, had heated discussions about DM topics and took several tests. Ultimately, we conferred seven more CDMP certifications on DAMA-PS members, bringing the chapter’s total of CDMPs to over 18!
San Francisco DAMA Chapter
Contributed by Diby Malakar
2009 was a great year for the San Francisco DAMA Chapter. We had speakers from diverse fields speaking at the monthly meetings. The topics included data governance, enterprise data mashups, information architecture and the art of modeling. We had almost 60+ attendees at the Annual DAMA Day Conference. David Marco was brought in as the keynote speaker. Our key theme was focused on the “The Role and Evolution of Data Professionals for Today’s Economy.” We also did something unique at this Annual DAMA day this year. We organized CDMP (Certified Data Management Professional) exams during the conference. We brought in various practitioners to talk about topics such as Master Data Management Solutions, Metadata Management – Key Enabler of Data Integration, and Lean Integration and the Integration Factory. We also organized a panel focusing on “Managers Perspectives – Approaches to Hiring, Staffing, Training and Retention.” We also welcomed the members of the Sacramento Chapter into our chapter. We are looking forward to organizing more workshop-oriented events and also doing something more with CDMP and DMBOK. On behalf of the SF DAMA board, I am looking forward to a more successful 2010 where in we can do more and give back to the data management community.
Worldwide: GLOBAL Chapter
The Data Management Association (DAMA) Global Chapter serves data management professionals who live in areas without a local DAMA chapter.
Go to http://www.damaglobal.org/ for additional information if you cannot find a chapter near you!
DAMA Chapters are encouraged to submit information to be included in the DAMA Corner. Please share!
Enterprise Data World
Enterprise Data World is the business world’s most comprehensive vendor-neutral educational event about data and information management. This year’s program will be bigger than ever before, with more sessions, more case studies, and more can’t-miss content.
Join us in San Francisco in March 2010 for 200 hours of in-depth tutorials, hands-on workshops, practical sessions and insightful keynotes to take you to the forefront of your industry. DAMA International, with Wilshire Conferences, has produced this gathering of professionals since 1997.
Spend time with other individuals who are as passionate about data management as you!
Professional Development
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