Nine Years Building a Master Data Management and Data Quality Platform

Over the last nine years, our journey at CluedIn has been dedicated to mastering data management and data quality. We’ve encountered countless challenges, learned from our customers, and seen first-hand the transformative potential of good data. So, what have we learned along the way? Here are the top insights we’ve gained from nearly a decade of building a platform designed to meet the real needs of modern businesses.

Don’t Knock It Until You Try It: Master Data’s Transformative Power
Master Data Management (MDM) can feel abstract until you’re in the thick of it, working with real data and solving real problems. MDM often flies under the radar because its benefits aren’t always obvious—until they are. When businesses get their hands on a robust MDM solution, they quickly see the impact: streamlined operations, improved decision-making, and reliable, accessible data that drives better outcomes. It’s a practice that’s essential for companies serious about growth and efficiency, and it’s an area where “seeing is believing.”

Business-Critical Data Drives Operational Success
One of our key realizations has been the immense operational significance of certain types of data. In any organization, specific data points become mission-critical for the functioning of various business units. When there are issues with this data, the effects aren’t trivial—they can have a significant impact on the bottom line, resulting in lost revenue, inefficiencies, and strained customer relationships. Understanding which data is most important to each line of business allows companies to prioritize data quality where it matters most, reducing risk and ensuring smoother operations across the board.

The #1 Challenge: Bringing Business into the Data Supply Chain
If there’s one lesson we believe should guide data strategy, it’s this: bring the business into the supply chain of data. Before investing in AI, machine learning, or intelligent agents, organizations must ensure that business teams are deeply integrated into their data processes. This is crucial for two reasons:

Accountability: When the people who produce and consume data are involved in its management, they become responsible for its quality. As data flows through the organization, business users are best positioned to verify, validate, and enrich it, ultimately leading to more trustworthy data assets.

Expertise: The expertise required to manage data goes beyond technical skills. Lines of Business (LoB) teams house the subject matter experts on the data they use, understanding its context, meaning, and relevance. While IT and engineering bring essential technical expertise, the real knowledge lies within the business. Integrating business experts into the data management process ensures that data is not only accurate but also meaningful.

In short, data ownership should extend beyond IT—business teams must play a central role in ensuring the data is not only clean but also valuable.

Start with Customer Needs and Work Backwards
At CluedIn, we’re committed to building a platform that addresses real customer challenges, not hypothetical ones. We listen to our customers, learn from their experiences, and build solutions that meet their needs. Our roadmap is about 70% driven by customer input because we believe that successful products solve actual, real-world problems. This customer-centered approach ensures that CluedIn remains relevant, practical, and impactful.

It’s an Amazing Time to Be in Data
If there’s one thing we can all agree on, it’s that we’re living in an incredible era for data. Technology is advancing at an unprecedented rate, and data professionals are now equipped with tools that were unimaginable even a few years ago. AI, machine learning, automation, and advanced analytics are transforming the landscape, and data is becoming the fuel that drives decision-making, innovation, and customer satisfaction. The opportunities are limitless, and the future of data is bright.

Reflecting on our nine years at CluedIn, it’s clear that MDM and data quality are more than just technical disciplines—they’re strategic imperatives that require close collaboration between business and IT. By embracing a customer-driven approach, prioritizing business involvement in data, and recognizing the unique impact of high-quality data, we’re building a platform that meets the needs of today’s data-driven organizations.

As we look to the future, we’re excited to continue evolving alongside our customers, helping them unlock the full potential of their data and transform their businesses in the process.