DAMA Italy is the Italian chapter of the DAMA-International association, the leading international organization for data management professionals. Dama International appears to be the largest data management reality in the world, counting more than 50,000 subscribers. The Italian division was founded in November 2018 and aims to create, discussions and investigate issues related to data management.
Through specifically dedicated events, DAMA promotes the culture of data management by defining a data governance framework that takes into consideration all the steps of the integration process.
Data Management is a fundamental aspect both for private companies but also for public administrations. Having an accurate organization and data management allows public and private organizations to have precise control over the flow of key information, but also to make the most of data for problem solving, strategy definition and analysis of trend of the implemented solutions.
To create a Smart Community it is crucial to promote the culture of Data Management in Public Administrations and private companies.
TSCAI met the President of DAMA – Italy, dr. Nino Letteriello and asked him some questions.
Do you share Bas Boorsma’s considerations on the need for cities to have a data governance strategy?
Absolutely yes, Bas Boorsma highlighted one of the main problems underlying the applicability of Smart City paradigms. Interoperability, standardization and taxonomy, as well as security and transparency, are fundamental aspects in order to provide value added services for citizens in line with the development strategies and policies of the cities. In this perspective, data governance acts as a glue for these paradigms and allows an efficient, measurable and shareable management among the various actors involved.
What do you think are the main critical issues related to this process?
The list could be long: the main critical points are related to the lack of competences that allow defining data frameworks (and their management) consistent with the objectives of the cities. These are some of the aspects we are working on the most, trying to disseminate a culture of Data Management which, unfortunately, is still very lacking. In an increasingly “data-driven” world, too often the focus is on technologies rather than on data management which are the foundations and this trend has led to an increase in excessive expectations (often disillusioned) and the failure of many projects erroneously labeled “technological”.
Do you have indicators that show how the attention of companies and public administrations is growing on the need to make decisions based on data?
I believe that in the entire world scene the interest is growing exponentially. Terms such as data-driven, open source, Big Data, Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence are now part of the collective imagination and have rightly raised the interest also within PA and Business that for years have begun to invest in computerization paths and digitization. To cite two examples, DAMA has existed for almost 40 years internationally and at the end of 2017 was present in 50 countries. Over the past 2 years, more than 40 nations have expressed an interest in DAMA and have started an official affiliation process. A further indicator is the search for the term “data” (or data / data) on Google, which in the last five years has seen a 25% increase worldwide and over 40% in Italy.
May you tell us what are the hot topics for 2020 within the DAMA Association?
The themes are varied, certainly the main one remains the one linked to the spread of best practices. The problems faced are common and equally concern public and private realities, however often we give in to the “reinventing the wheel” syndrome, retracing the same processes and consequent errors. In this context, DAMA wants to have a function of dissemination of knowledge, which independently of trends and applied technologies, can be of support to decision makers and professionals in the sector in order to optimize investments and obtain tangible and shared results. .
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