Master Data Management and its optimisation: an assessment of the maturity level on the example of a medium-sized company

Master Data Management is a key process that ensures that an organization’s most important business data is consistent, accurate and reliable. To this end, a maturity model was developed in advance as a result of analysing previous research findings on maturity models, data governance and practical experience according to design science research. The model then formed the basis for the creation of a questionnaire for conducting an assessment. The assessment includes the evaluation of existing processes, personnel, technologies and governance structures to improve the value of master data and increase business efficiency. This assessment identifies weaknesses and opportunities in current master data management processes and provides recommendations for optimization. The aim is to use robust master data management strategies to create a central, reliable data source that supports company-wide processes and decisions. In this context, the dimensions of master data, data culture, data quality, data protection, data security as well as organization, resources and controlling are taken into account. The assessment provides a comprehensive overview of the current level of maturity in master data management using the example of a medium-sized industrial company in Germany and guides the way to improved data management and utilization.