In addition to generally-accepted Master Data Management (MDM) standards, I favor low level, backup of original source data with extensive SME definitions to reduce risk. I call this the “Lego approach”.

Potential capabilities in new intelligence, disaster recovery, upgradability, and strategic lessons-learned are more than worth the time and money invested in extra layers of analysis.

Spectacular value derives from this approach to strategic information initiatives that create complex data structures, in the same way Legos simplicity and reliability enables it to do the same for physical structures.