Press Releases

PLEASANTON, Calif.- September 3, 2009 -Ventana Research today announced the findings of its benchmark research on Data Governance. This research, the latest from the leading business technology research firm, is the first quantitative research to assess the maturity and direction of this essential business process for managing the use and quality of data across the enterprise. The research offers significant new insights into how companies are maturing in their data governance, including analyses of the processes they have deployed and the technologies they are using to govern data more efficiently and effectively across line-of-business and IT organizations.

This new research examined the interplay of information, technology, process and people aspects in 341 companies of varied sizes, industries and regions to yield a number of important findings. The research confirms the importance of managing the quality, consistency and security of information. In particular, it shows that companies that deploy effective data governance are able to gain a better return on existing investments, improve the quality of data for decision-making and improve operational efficiency.

However, the research also finds that companies are lagging in applying the best practices uncovered by this research. Analysis using the Ventana Research Maturity Index indicates that while organizations are maturing in data governance, this is advance is slow, and the vast majority of them can still improve in their deployment and utilization of these information management capabilities.

The research was led by Mark Smith, CEO & EVP of research and Alan S. Kay, VP Research Management at Ventana Research. Smith commented, "Ventana Research has for almost a decade argued that information management is a key component of the CIO agenda and an underpinning of performance management. Managing the quality, consistency and security of information is critical to reducing business risk and efficient business operations. This new benchmark research confirms that data governance plays a key role in competitiveness and profitability, but also part of the interoperability of applications inside and outside the enterprise as part of business process outsourcing and cloud computing efforts that must integrate data into unified information systems for a wide range of business and IT needs."

Ventana Research will detail the findings of this benchmark research in a live interactive webinar on October 8th at 10:00 a.m. Pacific time that will discuss the research findings and offer recommendations for improvement. Issues to be discussed will include:

• Only 38 percent of organizations have deployed data governance today. For organizations to mature in data governance it must become a priority; the research shows that almost two-fifths (39%) of organizations still place too low a priority on it, while another 38 percent indicate there is a lack of executive support for improvement.

• Two factors that critically affect data governance effectiveness are the usability of the data governance systems and having business and IT both involved and collaborating. The research shows that organizations have a significant amount of work yet to do to balance activities and improvement across people, processes, information and technology.

• The relatively slow maturation of data governance is in large measure because there is insufficient understanding of it among managers and executives. Deploying data governance requires understanding the importance of balancing existing and new investments that can improve the quality and integration of data across a broad range of activities and processes inside the enterprise and into outsourced business processes and applications that operate in cloud computing environments.

Register and View Research Webinar Replay

The research was sponsored by technology providers DataFlux. The benchmark research was conducted with the assistance of media partners Business Performance Management, Information Management, Intelligent Enterprise and SearchDataManagement.com. Those interested in learning more about the benchmark research can find additional information at http://www.ventanaresearch.com/dg. As a part of your registration you will receive insights and education from Ventana Research and will occasionally receive invitations to participate in relevant research.

About Ventana Research

Ventana Research is the leading benchmark research and advisory services firm. We provide expert guidance to help organizations manage and optimize performance - to become not only more efficient but more effective. Our unparalleled insights and best practices guidance are based on our rigorous research-based benchmarking of people, processes, information and technology across business and IT functions worldwide. The combination we offer of benchmark research, rigorous market coverage and in-depth knowledge of hundreds of technology providers means we can deliver business and technology education and expertise to our clients where and when needed. Ventana Research provides the most comprehensive analyst coverage in the industry; more than 2.5 million business and IT professionals through our community of 85,000 professionals and network of media and association partners around the world benefit from Ventana Research's insights. Ventana Research focuses on business and technology trends and best practices that maximize organizations' potential to perform while reducing the time, cost and risk and still achieve optimal outcomes. To learn how Ventana Research advances the maturity of organizations use of information and technology through benchmark research, education and advisory services, visitwww.ventanaresearch.com.

Media: Copies of benchmark research report and interviews are available upon request.

Media Contact: Marisela Reynoso  

(925) 242-2579 marketing@ventanaresearch.com