Information strategy

The lack of trusted information — information that is accurate, timely and relevant — is on the minds of CEOs and senior executives around the world. The cost and complexity of managing increasing volumes of data and content, combined with the need to provide trusted information to every user for every transaction, is driving CIOs to rethink their approach to information delivery. What is required is a paradigm shift from siloed organizational information fiefdoms to the design and deployment of an enterprisewide information infrastructure. Without it, companies will continue to struggle in reaching the ultimate goal of optimizing business through advanced use of information.

CIOs now have access to a new strategy, planning and implementation approach for turning trusted information from a vision into a reality: the information agenda. An information agenda serves as both strategy and tactical roadmap, bringing together the people, processes and technology necessary to transform increasing volumes of information into a strategic, trusted business asset.

This white paper defines the information agenda; describes key considerations and best practices in creating and implementing an information agenda; and sets forth how IBM can help you to deliver trusted information enterprisewide.

Improving your data governance practices can help safeguard your corporate information and satisfy auditors and regulators.

Abstract: In the past few years, dozens of high-profile incidents involving process failures and data mismanagement have gained international media attention. Caught off guard by these failures, the organizations impacted by them have struggled with eroded brand confidence, lost business, and in some cases, legal liability.

Incidents such as these have catapulted corporate governance to the top of the boardroom agenda and made it one of the most important strategic priorities for companies and governments throughout the world. Embedded in nearly every aspect of an organization, IT plays its own increasingly critical role in governance initiatives. Foremost among these challenges is the need to effectively manage and control the mountains of data that reside within different parts of the organization.

Data is at once an organization's greatest source of risk and greatest source of value. Poor data management often means poor business decisions and results, and greater exposure to compliance violations and theft. For example, regulations such as Sarbanes-Oxley in the United States, the equivalent European Sarbanes Oxley and the Japanese Financial Instruments and Exchange Law (J-SOX) dictate a balance between information access and appropriate use as mandated by rules, policies and regulations.

On the other hand, the ability to leverage clean, trusted data can help organizations provide better service, drive customer loyalty and spend less effort complying with regulatory policies. Effectively leveraging information also brings with it the promise of increased innovation by optimizing people and processes through creative uses of information.