Data management involves the process of planning, coordinating as well as controlling an organization’s data resources. Alternatively, it may be termed as the process of managing data as a resource which is significant to an organization or business. According to DAMA (Data Management Association) one of the largest organizations that deal with data management, it is the process of developing data architecture, practices and procedures related to data for subsequent execution on a regular basis. Though data management covers several topics, here are a few important ones that include (a) Data Modeling, (b) Data Warehousing, (c) Data Movement; (d) Database Administration and (e) Data Mining.

Data Modeling

Data Modeling involves creation of a structure for the data that is to be collected and used and organizing the data in such a way as can provide easy access and efficient storage for future use in preparing reports or analysis. While creating the structure for the data, it may be given an appropriate name, demonstrating its relationship with other data and should also be classified. For example, when one is having a database of media, it might be appropriate to have an order or structure that includes images, videos or audio files. Within each category, one can easily classify objects accordingly.

Data Warehousing

Data warehousing is nothing but storing of the collected data effectively so that it may be easily accessed at a later date. Though different organizations collect data diversely, serving their individual purpose, most of them use their data more or less in the same way, when creating reports or reaching significant business decisions. Data warehousing may also be termed as a huge corporate data storage bin, encompassing a separate office or a department. Large Big companies often maintain adequate security arrangement for their data warehousing.

Data Movement

Data movement involves moving data from one location to another where some amount of caution is always needed. This is often done when the collected data is moved to a database and eventually to an end user. However, in the process, attention must be given to see that all hardware, applications and collected data are compatible to each other and the data is appropriately classified and stored so that it can be accessed easily within an organization. It is also an expensive process, requiring adequate resources to ensure that no data is misplaced or lost during transit. Transferred to a computer, it can be sent out as email attachments. Transmitted data can also take the form of a hard copy report for the management to take decisions.

Database Administration

Database administration plays a significant role in data management. Database administrators in most organizations or enterprises are responsible for maintaining the database environ and are authorized to perform some of the tasks that include (i) Recoverability; (ii) Integrity; (III) Availability; (iv) Security; (v) Performance and (vi) Development & Testing support, each one of which are detailed below.

Recoverability relates to the way the back up of stored data behaves. It needs regular testing to check its fidelity and dependability. Data integrity is also concerned with the reliability of the stored data. Data integrity is vital at the time of creating reports or during data analysis. Invalid data or data that that can not be relied upon, can never be used in any company or organization that deal with facts and figures.

A database administrator’s yet another essential task involve database security as the person is directly in charge of giving clearance as well as access to databases in an organization. Also important is availability. This may be termed as a means of ensuring that the database is up and running in the usual way. Higher will be the level of productivity when it is really up and full of the desired information. Performance of the database administration is usually seen in terms of getting the most out of the available hardware, applications and data on a given topic.  

As for development and testing support, this is where a good database administrator can demonstrate his or her true mettle. A well administered database not only indicates excellent performance on part of the administrator but it also serves as an admirable base from which accurate reports can be created.

Data Mining

This is a crucial component to data management since it interprets valuable information on the data that has been collected. It is quite significant in a way that leads to interactions between various points of issue or trends that can be found useful for a business to develop and grow.

While there could hundreds of topics related to data management, they all boil down to a generalized formula starting from collection of raw data from various sources to shaping them into formatted profile from which Management Gurus make valuable decisions that often affects world economy.