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Data management

An organisation’s most valuable asset is often its data, but careful management is required to ensure the maximum benefit is achieved. In this online module you will acquire an understanding of the principles, practices and technologies required for data management across the data life-cycle, and an awareness of the emerging issues in data management. You will gain the skills to analyse an organisation's data asset in order to develop policies, procedures and systems that control, protect, deliver and enhance its value. The module is based on the internationally recognised Data Management Association (DAMA) Data Management Body of Knowledge (DMBOK2) Framework (2017).

Vocational relevance

By studying this module you will work towards data management policies, procedures and systems for an organisation with which you are familiar. As such you will be interacting with other people in that organisation and this may help to raise your professional profile.

Studying this module will also help you prepare to take the DAMA Certified Data Management Professional (CDMP) and/or the BCS Certificate in Data Management Essentials examinations, in addition to the OU qualification being sought.

Qualifications

M816 is an optional module in our:

Postgraduate Certificate in Technology Management (C49)
Postgraduate Certificate in Systems Thinking in Practice (C72)
Postgraduate Certificate in Computing (K22)
Postgraduate Diploma in Technology Management (E08)
Postgraduate Diploma in Engineering (E22)
Postgraduate Diploma in Systems Thinking in Practice (E28)
Postgraduate Diploma in Computing (E81) (Information Security and Digital Forensics)
Postgraduate Diploma in Computing (E81) (Software Engineering)
Postgraduate Diploma in Computing (E81)
MSc in Technology Management (F36)
MSc in Systems Thinking in Practice (F47)
MSc in Engineering (F46)
MSc in Computing (F66) (Information Security and Digital Forensics)
MSc in Computing (F66) (Software Engineering)
MSc in Computing (F66)

Some postgraduate qualifications allow study to be chosen from other subject areas. We advise you to refer to the relevant qualification descriptions for information on the circumstances in which this module can count towards these qualifications because from time to time the structure and requirements may change.

Postgraduate Loans

If you study this module as part of an eligible qualification, you may also be eligible for a Postgraduate Loan available from Student Finance England. For more information, see Fees and funding.

Module

Module code: M816
Credits: 30
Study level: Postgraduate
Study method: Distance learning
Find out more in Why the OU?
Module cost: See Module registration
Entry requirements: Find out more about entry requirements.

Module details Entry requirements Module registration Study materials

What you will study

This module takes a practice-based approach based on an organisation you are familiar with. It gives you the fundamental knowledge and understanding of the data management principles, practices and technologies required to develop policies, procedures and systems that control, protect, deliver and enhance the value of the organisation’s data asset.

You will also have an opportunity to investigate emerging trends in data management and acquire the personal development skills you need to keep abreast of important developments in a rapidly expanding field. In addition, researching information about data management from various sources will give you critical evaluation skills and the ability to write about different approaches to this subject.

The module also covers the following Knowledge Areas (DMBOK2), which describe the scope and context of data management activities:

Data Governance, which provides direction and oversight for data management by establishing a system of decision rights over data that accounts for the needs of the enterprise.
Data Architecture, which defines the blueprint for managing data assets by aligning with organizational strategy to establish strategic data requirements and designs to meet these requirements.
Data Modelling and Design, which is the process of discovering, analysing, representing, and communicating data requirements in a precise form called the data model.
Data Storage and Operations, which includes the design, implementation, and support of stored data to maximize its value. Operations provide support throughout the data lifecycle from planning for to disposal of data.
Data Security, which ensures that data privacy and confidentiality are maintained, that data is not breached, and that data is accessed appropriately.
Data Integration and Interoperability, which includes processes related to the movement and consolidation of data within and between data stores, applications, and organizations.
Document and Content Management, which includes planning, implementation, and control activities used to manage the lifecycle of data and information found in a range of unstructured media, especially documents needed to support legal and regulatory compliance requirements.
Reference and Master Data, which includes ongoing reconciliation and maintenance of core critical shared data to enable consistent use across systems of the most accurate, timely, and relevant version of truth about essential business entities.
Data Warehousing and Business Intelligence, which includes the planning, implementation, and control processes to manage decision support data and to enable knowledge workers to get value from data via analysis and reporting.
Metadata, which includes planning, implementation, and control activities to enable access to high quality, integrated Metadata, including definitions, models, data flows, and other information critical to understanding data and the systems through which it is created, maintained, and accessed.
Data Quality, which includes the planning and implementation of quality management techniques to measure, assess, and improve the fitness of data for use within an organization.

In addition to the above Knowledge Areas, the module also covers the following topics:

Data Handling Ethics, which describes the central role that data ethics plays in making informed, socially responsible decisions about data and its uses. Awareness of the ethics of data collection, analysis, and use should guide all data management professionals.
Big Data and Data Science, which describes the technologies and business processes that emerge as our ability to collect and analyse large and diverse data sets increases.
Data Management Maturity Assessment, which outlines an approach to evaluating and improving an organization’s data management capabilities.
Data Management Organization and Role Expectations, which provide best practices and considerations for organizing data management teams and enabling successful data management practices.
Data Management and Organizational Change Management, which describes how to plan for and successfully move through the cultural changes that are necessary to embed effective data management practices within an organization.

In the module assessment you will have an opportunity to engage with an organisational problem of your choice, working towards fit-for-purpose data management policies, procedures and systems. You will also have an opportunity to carry out some independent research into issues in data management, including analysing, evaluating and presenting results.

The book DAMA-DMBOK: Data Management Body of Knowledge (2nd edition) is to be provided electronically via the module website. All other module material is delivered online and makes extensive use of a range of media and resources to support your learning.

Teaching and assessment

Support from your tutor

You will have a tutor who will be responsible for monitoring your progress on the module, marking and commenting on your written work and whom you can contact for advice and guidance.

Assessment

The assessment details for this module can be found in the facts box above.

You must use the online eTMA system to submit your tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) and your end-of-module assessment (EMA).

Professional recognition

Application for recognition will be made to BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT for exemption from some of its membership requirements for holders of an appropriate MSc in Computing.

Course work includes

3 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs)

End-of-module assessment

No residential school

Course satisfaction survey

See the satisfaction survey results for this course.

Future availability

Data management (M816) starts once a year – in November. This page describes the module that will start in November 2018. We expect it to start for the last time in November 2023.

Regulations

As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the academic regulations which are available on our Essential Documents website.

Entry requirements

It is expected that you will hold a bachelors degree (or equivalent) in computing or a related discipline, or alternatively have at least three years relevant industry experience.

You should also have data analysis and database experience from previous study or professional work.

Your spoken and written English must be of an adequate standard for postgraduate study. If English is not your first language, we recommend that you will need a minimum overall score of 6 and minimum score of 5.5 in each of the four components: reading, writing, speaking and listening under the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Please see the IELTS website for details.

If you have any doubt about the suitability of the module, please speak to an adviser.

Outside the UK

The module is based on the internationally recognised Data Management Association (DAMA) Data Management Body of Knowledge (DMBOK2) Framework (2017).

Register

Start	End	England fee	Register
01 Nov 2018	Apr 2019	£1360.00	Registration closes 11/10/18 (places subject to availability) Register
This module is expected to start for the last time in November 2023.

Future availability

Data management (M816) starts once a year – in November. This page describes the module that will start in November 2018. We expect it to start for the last time in November 2023.

Additional costs

Study costs

There may be extra costs on top of the tuition fee, such as a laptop, travel to tutorials, set books and internet access.

Study materials

What's included

The DAMA Guide to the Data Management Body of Knowledge (DAMA-DMBOK), DAMA International, will be provided on a CD-ROM.

Other study materials will be available from the module website, including:

access to the online book Principles of Data Management: Facilitating Information Sharing, BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT
access to a wide range of library resources
a wide range of activities to develop technical and professional skills.

Computing requirements

A computing device with a browser and broadband internet access is required for this module. Any modern browser will be suitable for most computer activities. Functionality may be limited on mobile devices.

Any additional software will be provided, or is generally freely available. However, some activities may have more specific requirements. For this reason, you will need to be able to install and run additional software on a device that meets the requirements below.

A desktop or laptop computer with either:

Windows 7 or higher
macOS 10.7 or higher
a modern Linux version

The screen of the device must have a resolution of at least 1024 pixels horizontally and 768 pixels vertically.

To participate in our online-discussion area you will need both a microphone and speakers/headphones.

Our Skills for OU study website has further information including computing skills for study, computer security, acquiring a computer and Microsoft software offers for students.

If you have a disability

With the exception of the book Data Management Association (DAMA) Data Management Body of Knowledge (DMBOK) Framework, which will be mailed to you on a CD-ROM, the materials for this module are provided as a series of web pages and an online book via the module website. Some elements may not be fully accessible using a screen reader. Currently, we cannot provide a copy of the Data Management Body of Knowledge (DMBOK) that is accessible using a screen reader.

Other alternative formats of the study materials, such as E-pub and Kindle versions, may be available in the future. If you use specialist hardware or software to assist you in using a computer, or think you may have difficulty using the online material you are advised to contact us about support which can be given to meet your needs.

If you have particular study requirements please tell us as soon as possible, as some of our support services may take several weeks to arrange. Find out more about our services for disabled students.

Data management

Vocational relevance

Qualifications

Postgraduate Loans

Module

What you will study

Teaching and assessment

Support from your tutor

Assessment

Professional recognition

Course work includes

Course satisfaction survey

Future availability

Regulations

Entry requirements

Outside the UK

Register

Future availability

Additional costs

Study costs

Study materials

What's included

Computing requirements

If you have a disability

Bachelor degrees

Masters degrees

Degree subjects

Change language

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The Open University

What you will study

Teaching and assessment

Support from your tutor

Assessment

Professional recognition

Course work includes

Course satisfaction survey

Future availability

Regulations

Entry requirements

Outside the UK

Register

Future availability

Additional costs

Study costs

Study materials

What's included

Computing requirements

If you have a disability

Bachelor degrees

Masters degrees

Degree subjects

Change language

Connect with us

Grundständige Studiengänge

Masterstudiengange

Grad

Sprache ändern

Connect with us

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