Activities

  1. Cluster CDOs by business function and requirements.
    • Group CDOs with similar business processes, data quality, and non-functional needs.
    • Identify clusters that align with standard business capabilities (e.g., HR, Finance, CRM).
  2. Evaluate application solutions.
    • Assess available applications/vendors for each cluster.
    • Prioritise solutions that natively support industry or regulatory standards.
    • Consider vendor track record for updates, support, and compliance.
  3. Map CDOs to application features.
    • Ensure each CDO’s attributes, relationships, and lifecycle are supported by the application.
    • Identify any gaps where customisation or configuration is needed.
  4. Leverage vendor-driven standardisation.
    • Adopt vendor best-practice configurations where possible.
    • Minimise customisation to reduce technical debt and ease future upgrades.
    • Document any deviations from vendor standards and their rationale.
  5. Plan for integration and data flow.
    • Define how CDOs will integrate with other systems.
    • Ensure data flows support processes and reporting needs.
    • Validate that application selection supports the organisation’s data governance and security requirements.

Objective

Match each CDO cluster with the most appropriate application solution, leveraging vendor expertise to embed industry best-practice standards.

Outcome

Applications and configurations that support business needs, minimise customisation, and embed industry best practices.

Key Stakeholders

  • Business Process Owners — Define business requirements and priorities.
  • Solution Architects — Evaluate and recommend application solutions.
  • Vendor Representatives — Present product capabilities and best practices.
  • Data Governance Council — Approves application choices and ensures standards.
  • IT Operations / Support — Assess integration and ongoing support needs.
  • Procurement — Manage vendor selection and contracts.