Data governance: enabler for Supply Chain excellence
A leading manufacturer in the food sector was transitioning to a new ERP system to support future scalability and operational efficiency. The new system introduced valuable supply chain features and created momentum to improve master data - especially lead times, order quantities and inventory settings. A data stewardship model and data controller role laid the foundation for operational excellence. The team saw that ERP benefits relied on accurate, consistent data. This shift revealed opportunities to improve data quality, align standards and boost collaboration. Despite limited resources and knowledge gaps, the need for focused investment in data migration, data governance and change enablement became clear - key to unlocking the system’s full value.
Ambition: Streamlined data management for Operational Efficiency
Master data is the backbone of any supply chain execution or planning process – impacting everything from MRP runs and supplier collaboration to inventory accuracy and lead time reliability. Faced with poor data quality, limited adoption of standards, and no centralized control over the migration, the organization succeeded in embedding strong master data governance, ensuring a successful cutover to the new ERP landscape.
How we helped: Structured data migration and governance
An effective supply chain master data migration approach was implemented, supported by a comprehensive data governance policy and data convention standards. A scalable data governance framework was developed, including naming conventions, validation rules and domain-specific ownership. Key activities included executing and coordinating various data migration tasks across business units and functions, defining clear roles and authority in terms of data management by defining a RACI and embedding a data controller function, and utilizing Power BI reports to plan and track the progress of data migration and data quality.
Results: Embedded data governance and enhanced data quality
The initiative led to the successful embedding of data governance within the organization. Significant improvements were observed in data quality, including material master data and supplier data. This enabled smoother MRP runs, cleaner procurement cycles, and fewer manual interventions. Furthermore, increased speed of data availability and approvals were achieved, ensuring the company was well-prepared for future growth.
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