How do we engage you?

Simply send an email to start the discussion. We will talk about what you are looking for, what I would suggest for addressing it, and potential cost. My engagements are customized to your needs and are fixed in scope, time, and cost. You can submit your intent on the Contact Page.

What do you charge?

It depends on the type of engagement and duration. Before engaging, you will know the cost and it will not be an open-ended contract that goes on-and-on-and-on.

How long are your engagements?

The length of the engagement will depend on the objectives and the size of the effort. It can range from 2 hours to 2 months. Two months is the extreme and I will not consider contracts longer than that. A lot can be done in the way of assessing, planning, and educating in a relatively short period of time. The purpose of my engagements is to provide you with insight, a path, considerations, or tools (in the way of processes) for you to start or improve your data management effort.

Do you sell or promote any particular software or vendor?

No. My belief is that the practice of data management is based on processes that are agnostic to any particular technology. That does not mean that tools are not beneficial. Tools such as data catalogs, data dictionaries and data lineage tools are often valuable consideration for a mature and effective data management program. They are still tools to support your process rather than a solution in themselves. If asked, I can provide some options for your consideration, but I do not recommend specific tools and I am not partnered with any vendor.

What are your seminars like?

Seminar is used quite loosely. They can be a speaking engagement for an entire company or organization or a one-on-one session. They can be for an hour or for two days. Audience can be diverse or targeted to specific roles. A seminar’s subject matter can be as broad as general data management principles and how they apply to you or as specific as real-life methodology processes such as Data-Topic creation and maintenance or indication of System-of-Record. The best way to understand what it might be is to have a discussion about your thoughts and needs.

Can you solve a current problem and close it as part of your engagement?

The short answer would be no. If that is the sole purpose of the engagement, you would be better served to find someone else. Of course I can help and your current issue might get solved but in the context of setting up a practice that will minimize or prevent future issues related to your data.

What if we do not have the funding to do what it seems you are proposing?

It is a process that can take quite a long time. While I do present a vision of the end-state, you have to start somewhere. People need to see that it can work because too many have tried and failed on some pretty large investments. Educating people is a good beginning that is not a wasted effort.

What are engagements based on and why do we need you?

You may not need me. There is a lot of good information from sources such as DAMA (of which I am a member), there a lot of books and articles (including mine) that can provide valuable information, and you likely have people in your organization with personal experience related to data management, but you still find yourself where you are. The transition to making data management operational can be a great challenge and more ideas and assistance might be the extra weight that tips the scale. I am a very open book regarding my principles and methods and I will be honest with you. I will not engage to make you feel better or to tell you only what you want to hear. I will provide you honest feedback if assessment or strategy is part of the engagement.

Can we just read your book and go from there?

What a softball question! Of course you can, and please do. I had a company set up a group of people to read my book and then did a couple of one-hour sessions with them to discuss the book and answer questions. I am flexible. If you just have a question regarding the book or my articles by all means just send me an email.