The Data Operating Model (DOM) at BMT provides a comprehensive and structured framework that supports strategic decision-making and operational efficiency across the organisation. Developed to enhance data accessibility, quality, governance, and scalability, the DOM plays a crucial role in enabling data-driven decision-making and aligning data practices with BMT’s core business objectives.
Key Objectives
The DOM is designed to:
- Centralise Data Access: Provide a unified repository for data that ensures consistency across departments.
- Enhance Data Quality and Reliability: Through robust governance and structured quality metrics, data integrity and accuracy are continuously upheld.
- Support Agile Decision-Making: A multi-layered medallion architecture provides tailored data views, making data more relevant and actionable.
- Promote Continuous Improvement: An adaptable and scalable model that aligns with evolving business and data needs.
Core Features
- Data Flow and Architecture: Using a medallion architecture, data is processed through four layers—Bronze (Raw Ingestion), Silver (Cleansing and Alignment), Gold (Department-Specific Views), and Platinum (Advanced Analytics). Each layer adds value and quality to the data, making it fit for diverse use cases, from basic reporting to advanced AI applications.
- Governance and Accountability: The DOM outlines a governance structure that includes roles for data stewards, specialists, and custodians, each responsible for maintaining data quality and compliance. This structure, supported by regular audits and feedback loops, ensures a high standard of accountability and continuous quality improvement.
- Integration with Business Processes: The DOM aligns with BMT’s key business processes, enhancing customer insights, streamlining operations, and driving innovation. Embedded security protocols ensure compliance and data privacy, while cloud-based infrastructure supports BMT’s sustainability targets by optimising resource usage.
- Scalability and Flexibility: The model is built to scale across regions and departments, incorporating new data sources with ease. Its adaptable structure supports both current and future analytics needs, allowing BMT to integrate emerging technologies and data sources seamlessly.
- Data Quality Standards and Dimensions: A rigorous framework ensures data is accurate, complete, consistent, timely, unique, and usable. These dimensions are assessed through specific metrics, providing a holistic approach to data quality management and aligning with BMT’s commitment to operational excellence.
Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
Integrated SOPs across all data lifecycle stages—from planning and acquisition to processing, publication, and archiving—ensure that data handling processes are standardised, efficient, and aligned with governance protocols. These SOPs provide clear guidelines on quality checks, data security, and user accessibility, forming the backbone of BMT’s data handling practices.
Continuous Improvement and Data Quality Initiatives
The DOM includes advanced DataOps and Data Observability tools to monitor and enhance data quality in real time. Using a CI/CD (Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment) approach, automated testing and monitoring support consistent, reliable data processing. Decentralised data ownership through Data Mesh principles empowers departments to manage data while adhering to central governance, encouraging a collaborative data culture.
Performance Metrics
A balanced scorecard aligned with BMT’s strategic pillars monitors DOM performance, measuring data quality, operational efficiency, environmental impact, and innovation. These KPIs provide actionable insights that guide ongoing improvements in data management and governance.