DAMA Day Prague 2024: key takeaways

The DAMA Day Prague 2024 attracted over 200 data professionals, creating a vibrant atmosphere organized by DAMA Czech Republic and DAMA International. This opportunity provided an exceptional platform for networking, learning, and sharing experiences. What is more, it featured a variety of cool DAMA swag that added to the overall experience. Let me share my thoughts on its significance for the data community.

The value of Data Governance

There was quite a lot to take away from the speakers’ stories. The conference started with a keynote speech by Peter Aiken, president of DAMA International. He emphasized the importance of measuring and communicating the tangible value that Data Governance and data initiatives bring to organizations.

His presentation included numerous practical case studies and tips on putting a dollar value on data projects. Doing that is still a challenge for many data professionals. Yet it becomes a skill that is more and more important in today’s economy, with companies being very cautious about spending money in general.

Data as the core of business operations

Peter Vannel from Equifax, one of the largest consumer credit agencies in the world, highlighted how data is central to their business operations – in fact, it’s at the core. Peter emphasized the role of data stewards in large-scale projects and described Equifax’s journey of becoming a “steward-centric organization.”

What will for sure stick with me is Peter’s comparison of metadata to… cooking. After all, we can have all the right ingredients in the kitchen, but without the labels indicating what is in each packaging, cooking a good meal will be virtually impossible. Similarly, when trying to produce business insights without collecting and using metadata in the process. I find it a great illustration of the significance of metadata in data management.

The human element in data management

What really resonated with me was the discussion led by Andrew Andrews, VP Marketing DAMA International. It allowed the participants to take a step back and remind ourselves of the importance of the human aspect in data management. It was very inspiring to exchange views and experiences on empathy and ethics in data projects with people coming from various cultural and organizational backgrounds!

Certification opportunities and successes

In addition to the main event, there was a possibility for DAMA members to take any of the DAMA certifications in a “pay-if-you-pass” formula. I highly recommend it. Either you get the certificate or, in the worst-case scenario, you get to know the exam and the type of questions that appear, which will help a lot to prepare for a retake.

Special shoutout to DAMA Poland Chapter celebrating a 100% pass rate among participants (including myself!). That called for celebration, and needless to say, Prague is a beautiful city with an ambiance enhancing less formal meetings after the conference.

Emphasizing the importance of Data Governance

The insights from DAMA Day Prague 2024 highlight the crucial role of Data Governance in driving organizational success. As it  as a strategic asset, I encourage you to explore our materials for more valuable insights and resources on this essential topic.

Check out our article on Data Vault Part 1 – Introduction and case study on LOT’s Data Governance Roadmap to deepen your understanding.