The Data Professional Expedition – An Overview

Executive Summary

The Data Professional Expedition is a Community Platform for CDMP Certification. It offers a comprehensive suite of resources designed to support professionals on their Data Management career journey. Additionally, it encompasses training programs, community engagement opportunities, and essential webinars.

Participants can access events and training initiatives focusing on their career development and achieving life balance while also receiving support with common challenges such as the fear of writing examinations. The Data Professional Expedition supports mentorship with features and benefits that foster professional growth through career coaching in virtual workspaces. Thus, ensuring a robust support system for Data Professionals.

Webinar Details

Title: The Data Professional Expedition – An Overview
Date: 07 November 2024
Presenter: Howard Diesel
Meetup Group: African Data Management Community
Write-up Author: Howard Diesel

The Data Professional Expedition Community Platform

Modelware Systems is excited to introduce a new engagement platform designed to support individuals in the CDMP certification process. Recognising the limitations of communication via WhatsApp, the team has developed a resource-rich platform accessible at no cost to those who register for our courses, whether through Udemy or in-person training. Participants will find over 400 targeted videos and webinars tailored to their specific training needs, including professional and executive content.

Our goal is to assist not just with CDMP preparation but also to support executives in building data strategies and competencies within their organisations. The aim of the Community Platform is to foster a welcoming environment for discussions and knowledge sharing among professionals in the data field, helping to alleviate the stress associated with exam preparation and ensuring that everyone can achieve their certification goals.

Figure 1 Portal to The Data Professional Expedition

Figure 2 Introduction: “Why?”

Journey and Available Resources

We are focusing on enhancing access to our resources, specifically tagging them for better visibility, as LinkedIn posts tend to disappear quickly. There are two main resource sets: Modelware Systems resources and the DAMA South Africa resources, which are accessible to everyone. As you progress on your CDMP journey, starting with the Data Management Fundamentals is crucial, as achieving a complete CDMP requires passing three exams: the Fundamentals plus two Specialists.

We will engage at the professional level to help determine the most suitable specialist exams to take. Additionally, we will offer training in Metadata and are exploring opportunities for Data Integration training. For executives, we will address the importance of having the right teams in place to support their established data strategies.

Figure 3 “User Personas”

Supporting the Data Management Career Journey

Our community platform focuses on supporting individuals pursuing CDMP certification and advancing their data careers through a collaborative community environment. Beyond obtaining certification, we emphasise the importance of ongoing development, networking, and mentorship to foster thought leadership and roles such as a CDO or Data Manager.

We provide access to valuable resources, including model recordings and templates, while hosting webinars and private coaching sessions tailored to individual needs. Our community is managed by Debbie Diesel, who assists individuals, and Paul Bolton, who oversees corporate training initiatives. Members are encouraged to reach out for support, share experiences, and participate as guest speakers to enhance their Data Management skills. Debbie then emphasises the importance of becoming a thought leader by actively participating in community discussions and presenting on international stages. There is a commitment to providing these opportunities to everyone without any special access restrictions.

Paul Bolton, who oversees corporate training, shared his journey of overcoming exam anxieties, highlighting the value of shared experiences within the team. Paul expresses enthusiasm for developing data governance strategies and supporting learners through their certification paths, noting the need to encourage the completion of training and certifications, particularly given the significant number of unclaimed CDMP coupons. The goal is to help organisations understand the return on investment of their training initiatives, thereby maximising the benefits of their certifications.

Figure 4 “Key Goals”

Figure 5 Community Managers

The Journey of CDMP Training and Community Engagement

Our training team includes Howard, Paul, Veronica, and Drew. Training is provided both onsite and online education. Veronica is the head of training and is responsible for establishing our organisation as a DAMA REP to uphold CDMP (Certified Data Management Professional) standards. Additionally, we encourage collaboration on the journey, especially for thought leadership and Data Executive roles. Howard emphasises that while individual effort can lead to quick results, collective support is essential for long-term success. A notice for current Data Citizens who have completed CDMP training but still need to write the Fundamentals exam: we strive to reduce apprehension surrounding the exam process, recognising the importance of timely practice.

Figure 6 CDMP Trainers

Figure 7 African Proverb

Figure 8 Data Citizen

Figure 9 Definition of a Data Citizen

Data Citizen and Professional Training

The platform offers resources and support for Data Citizens, providing guidance on foundational aspects such as the CDMP Q&A, training sessions, and Data Quality frameworks to help individuals pass their exams and potentially reach a master’s level. For Data Professionals, specialised training is available for those who have mastered the fundamentals and are preparing for advanced exams, with a focus on areas like data governance and policies. Additionally, executives can benefit from workshops that emphasise building a competent data office and delivering value to their organisations. The workshop also includes support for establishing Chief Data Officers (CDOs) within organisations through playbooks and recipes for those lacking in CDO experience.

Figure 10 Features for the Data Citizen

Figure 11 Data Professional

Figure 12 Definition of a Data Professional

Figure 13 Materials available for Data Professionals

Figure 14 Data Executive

Data Literacy and Data Catalogues

Howard shares on the importance of Data Literacy and mentions that it might be more appropriately termed “Data Abilities.” He goes on to mention the growing trend in data catalogues, now promoted as comprehensive, unified metadata repositories, eliminating the need for separate metadata platform tools. Various options exist, including open-source solutions like Data Hub and proprietary tools from Google and Azure, as well as other specialised platforms like Atlan, Adulation, and Calibra. Understanding the features of these tools is essential for professionals tasked with making informed decisions, as data catalogues play a critical role in effective Data Management.

Figure 15 Definition of a Data Executive

Figure 16 Materials Present for Data Executives

Figure 17 Feature of the Community Platform

Figure 18 Discussion Boards

Webinars and Community Resources

A new discovery feature on the community platform highlights ongoing discussions, including feedback from users about the value of webinars, which can require significant preparation time. Encouraging responses from attendees affirm the impact of shared resources and presentations.

A previous event included a discussion with Bill Inman on the revised “Evolution of Data Architecture” and a fantastic presentation by Yolanda Smith on “Data Governance in Data Mesh.” The Community platform is also focused on book reviews, particularly related to Data Management, inviting members to engage with the material and potentially host authors for webinars. A recent session featured Marco Wobben on CaseTalk and a discussion on legal and ethical AI compliance and large language models.

Figure 19 Events and Other Activities

Figure 20 Materials Present to All Users

Figure 21 Book Club

Events and Training Opportunities

Monica shares on the week’s events present on the platform. These include training sessions with Howard and Veronica, a Meetup, a Q&A on Friday, and a talk on “Crimes Against Data” by Merrill Albert. All events aim to streamline communication and notifications, with a plan to phase out the Meetup platform once everyone is comfortable. The live training offers engagement notifications to assist participants with their studies.

As courses are completed, participants will transition to relevant study groups for continued support and interaction. Additionally, career coaching is available to help individuals advance in their Data Management careers, while corporate assessments aim to evaluate team structures and strengths.

Figure 22 Convenient Access to all Events

Figure 23 Training – Course Information and Scheduling

Figure 24 Supportive Daily Engagement

Figure 25 Study Groups

Figure 26 Career Coaching

Figure 27 Data Career Learning Path

Career Development and Life Balance: A Conversation on Changing Menu of Options

Howard emphasises the importance of actively changing one’s career options to avoid stagnation and achieve career goals. He highlights the role of coaching in identifying opportunities for growth, such as aspiring to become a Chief Data Officer (CDO) or developing Data Strategies. A proposed portfolio template can help individuals showcase their career aspirations on their CVs. Howard also underscores the significance of balancing professional development with personal well-being, recognising that stressors may extend beyond technical careers.

A discussion starts on the importance of balancing technical knowledge with essential coaching in business skills and autonomous working, as outlined by the SFIA framework. While there’s a focus on achieving professional certifications such as CDMP, it’s emphasised that personal and professional growth extends beyond just technical expertise.

Figure 28 Personal Career Coaching

Figure 29 Career Coaching: Potential Partners

Figure 30 Corporate Training Agreement

Overcoming Fear of Writing Examinations

Monica and Debbie take over to showcase the platform features, encouraging audience participation and feedback. A participant named Diana shares her fear of writing exams, She notes that she felt this way even with her extensive career in Data Management dating back to 1968. Diana expresses her desire to help younger individuals navigate the fast-changing landscape of their careers. Despite her initial apprehension, Diana recalls scoring 78% on her first exam without studying, emphasising that others should not be intimidated by the exam process. She expresses a strong willingness to contribute to the group’s learning journey.

Figure 32 Showcase

The Importance of Mentorship

A participant highlights the importance of mentorship and shared experiences in overcoming challenges, emphasising how engaging with others can lead to personal growth and learning throughout life. The participant underscores the critical relationship between Data Quality and effective artificial intelligence, asserting that poor Data Management will ultimately hinder decision-making processes. A key takeaway is the analogy that just as the quality of air impacts cognitive abilities, the integrity of data is essential for producing reliable AI outcomes.

Features and Benefits of Community

The platform provides a welcoming space for new members, featuring a checklist to help users introduce themselves and familiarise themselves with notifications. It includes access to training courses, a discussion area for recent webinars, and a comprehensive content library organised by highlighted hashtags for easy navigation. Users can search topics like data privacy to find relevant resources and join communities such as the Data Citizen community or study groups for collaborative learning.
Additionally, a mobile app offers alerts for discussions, new blogs, and events to keep users informed and engaged. Overall, the platform promotes a supportive environment for professional development and knowledge sharing in Data Management.

Figure 33 Training Courses

Figure 34 Discussion Board

Figure 35 DAMA SA Content Library

Figure 36 Highlighted Tags to Browse

Figure 37 Navigate the Platform

Figure 38 Modelware Content Library

Figure 39 Data Citizen Community

Figure 40 Discussion in Data Citizen Community Hub

Career Coaching through Virtual Workspaces

The career coaching program features both public and private sections, allowing anyone to participate in general webinars while reserving specific areas (Citizen, Professional, and Executive) for members who have completed training or obtained special access. The private career coaching space fosters confidentiality, enabling teams to collaborate without external visibility. Participants can utilize resources and network while maintaining privacy in their discussions.

A SharePoint folder is available to store assessments and provide a roadmap of activities, allowing members to create deliverables that are then reviewed in sessions to evaluate their effectiveness. This structured approach helps individuals gain clarity on the quality of their work, receive feedback, and refine their communication and presentation skills in a supportive environment.

Monica highlights the upcoming introduction of a badge system that recognizes contributions, akin to the programs previously implemented. This system will allow members to select top contributors to engage with and will be launched in the coming weeks, featuring badges based on exams and individual contributions. The network, built on the Mighty Networks platform, will facilitate connections by showcasing top members, those nearby geographically or with similar interests, and will also allow users to see peers with expertise in specific areas such as data governance.

Figure 41 Career Coaching Showcase

Figure 42 Attendees of Career Coaching

Figure 43 Members on the Platform Presently

Coaching, Mentoring, and Navigating Online Platforms

Coaching and mentoring can be approached in two ways: through individual support and by creating small cohorts with shared interests. This concept aligns with the metaphor of climbing Mount Everest, where team members work together towards common goals, such as becoming thought leaders or CDOs. Achieving recognition in these roles is a long-term process that requires sustained effort and relevancy, as it’s not merely about having the latest information but delivering valuable insights to those in need. The advantage of having a centralised platform for videos and talks is the ability to foster contribution and discussion among participants. Howard notes his own concerns about LinkedIn’s fleeting posts and that it makes it challenging to access information.