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Improving Master Data Quality: A Successful Diagnostic Review

DBC recently supported one of its clients in carrying out a Master Data Governance (MDG) diagnostic.

This client has been using SAP S/4 since 2023. The company wanted to assess and enhance its practices in managing material, customer, and supplier data, with the goal of aligning its processes with quality standards.

The objectives of this diagnostic were to:

– Identify strengths and areas for improvement in governance and business processes;
– Analyze the maturity of current practices;
– Propose a concrete and realistic action plan.

Our approach was structured into four key phases:

1. Project Preparation

This initial phase, carried out during week 1, aimed to lay the foundations for the diagnostic:

– Organize the project logistics;
– Identify the staff to be interviewed;
– Set up the project’s document structure;
– Hold the kickoff meeting.

It also included a preliminary analysis of constraints and risks and the clarification of key elements: workshop formats, project sponsor identification, involved stakeholders, management of critical absences, information exchange methods, and required access.

Deliverables produced:

List of project participants and contact information;
– Project plan (created in MS Project, the tool chosen by the client);
– List of workshops (topics, participants, duration);
– List of pre-identified actions and issues.

2. Review of existing processes and mapping of current practices

Carried out between weeks 2 and 4, this phase aimed to gain a detailed understanding of the practices in place:

– Review documents provided by the client;
– Prepare workshop agendas;
– Schedule and conduct working sessions;
– Analyze current processes and their issues;
– Map “as‑is” processes.

Deliverables produced:

– Workshops on Material, Customer, and Supplier master data objects;
– Workshop on the Audit process;
– Current process mapping for the three master data objects and for auditing.

3. Maturity assessment and issue identification

Also conducted between weeks 2 and 4, this phase involved:

– Analyzing information obtained during workshops and document reviews;
– Documenting the observations raised;
– Assessing the maturity of the observed processes.

Tools used for this analysis:

– Business process mapping: FIPEC diagrams, flowcharts, swimlane (cross‑functional) diagrams;
– Continuous improvement tools: benchmarking and brainstorming;
– Other tools: maturity matrix.

4. Recommendations and improvement plan

Carried out in week 5, this phase included:

– Preparing an improvement plan;
– Presenting the final report.

Deliverables included:

– A detailed and actionable plan;
– A comprehensive report of observations;
– Educational sessions organized as needed to support implementation.

We would like to thank the client’s team for their collaboration and openness throughout the process. This type of engagement allows us to actively contribute to building a solid foundation for effective data governance that meets regulatory requirements.

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