Creating any kind of data quality framework is a major undertaking so it really helps to leverage knowledge already published.

BearingPoint launched an Open Source initiative called MIKE2.0 that many organisations have found valuable for building their own frameworks.

They have now gone further and created a free, downloadable, Web2.0 platform called omCollab that enables organisations to integrate MIKE2.0 with their own content.

The need for effective information management strategies

Data governance, data quality management and a myriad of other frameworks and enterprise standards are now recognised as pivotal to long-term business success so it pays to learn from those who have gone before if you have to create your own approach.

Of course most organisations keep this information firmly in-house but BearingPoint have gone to the other extreme by publishing vast amounts of their Enterprise Information Management framework in an Open Source online Wiki environment called MIKE2.0 (Methodology for an Integrated Knowledge Environment).

So now any professional can utilise or add to this wealth of information to help advance their career or business.
Some of the main areas of MIKE2.0 include:

• Information Governance

• Data Quality Improvement

• Data Integration

• Data Migration

• Data Warehousing

• Master Data Management

• IT Transformation

• Enterprise Search

• Enterprise 2.0

In our sister community site, Data Migration Pro, we interviewed one of the pioneers of this project, Sean McClowry, some time ago and he gave a great account of the goals of this project and where it was headed in this article.

Going Web2.0 - Introducing omCollab

Recently the MIKE2.0 team have been busy building an extension of MIKE2.0 called omCollab.

Using omCollab, organisations can now accelerate collaboration and interface with MIKE2.0 using their own internal collaboration tools and content. Plus, they can collaboratively link to the best articles on the web and share these internally, all in one environment.

omCollab can be downloaded under an Open Source agreement and installed behind the firewall of a corporate intranet but importantly they have made it straightforward to link to MIKE2.0 and other external content.

So, imagine you need to document best-practices for data migration, you could combine elements of MIKE2.0, with tagged (and rated) content from internet sites such as Data Migration Pro and Data Quality Pro all combined with your own internal documentation. All this takes place within one, fully integrated environment.

omCollab features many social networking tools so users of tools like Facebook and Digg will recognise the features and the fact that it is Open Source means there is no financial barrier to implementation so it is certainly worth exploring further if you are looking to investigate knowledge management solutions for information management in your organisation.

So what does this all mean to the data quality profession?

Within MIKE2.0 there are some great materials for building out frameworks and strategies that the data quality professional will no doubt be involved with.

MDM, data governance, data quality improvement, data migration, data integration - there is a wealth of information in there to help you understand the roles, responsibiities, tasks, deliverables and sequencing of enterprise information management activities.

Admittedly it is not exhaustive in some sections but it certainly gives you placeholders and a working model to start.

Here are some areas as an information management professional you may benefit from using MIKE2.0 and omCollab:

• If you are a consultant you now have a source of information from other world-class professionals that has been proven on large, blue-chip customer sites. This is all open source material so you can use it (as long as you reference the originator) to create framework strategies and therefore help deliver great service to clients thus increasing the likelihood of follow-on work
• If you work as a permanent employee MIKE2.0 effectively gives you a massive amount of free training materials that your organisation might simply not have the budget for or time available to release you for courses
• For people working in the CIO office or responsible for enterprise data governance and overall strategy, these materials give you a blueprint and reference point for comparing your own approach to that provided by leading information management specialists
• If you are a tool vendor there is now some great information to help you build white papers and associated materials that help your customers put the value of your tools in context with the wider programmes they support. As long as you reference the source of the information you can help your customers understand the wider importance of information management
• If you are a head of data quality you can now extend MIKE2.0 internally within your organisation by adding your own internal frameworks and materials using the Wiki and Web2.0 content management features provided. This can surely reduce costs and accelerate your delivery dates if you are already planning this kind of initiative, if you're not the business case is a no-brainer as it's a free download

If we combine the technology, content, experience of BearingPoint and the fact all this comes for free then it’s obviously fantastic value for all members of the profession and a really positive move.

And don't forget MIKE2.0 is a community project, content providers and supporters are openly welcomed.

As with all community projects, participation is key so if you would like to get involved or learn more then check out some of the links below.

Useful Links

• For details of MIKE2.0 just follow the relevant links on the homepage
• To find out more about omCollab just click here
• To view the core solution offerings just click here
  
• Sean McClowry is a member of the Data Quality Pro expert panel, to view his profile click here
• Information Governance
• Data Quality Improvement
• MIKE2.0 revisited article on Data Migration Pro