Service 3 of 7
Business Data
Strategy
A business data strategy defines which data supports which business decisions, who is accountable for it and in what order to invest. It is derived from the corporate strategy and is a matter for the board, not an IT task.
What it is about
From the strategy to the data that carries it
A data strategy starts with the question of which decisions your company has to make over the coming years. Where do we invest, which markets do we serve, which risks do we take? For each of these decisions we clarify which data it needs, in what quality and how current.
From this we derive which data really matters for your business. Not every data source deserves the same attention. A good data strategy sets priorities and says openly what will not be tackled for now.
Governance is part of the strategy: who is accountable for which data, which rules apply and how decisions about data are made. In companies covered by NIS2 or DORA, the management body carries personal responsibility for parts of this. That is why we develop the data strategy together with the managing directors and do not delegate it to IT.
The result is a strategy on a few pages and a roadmap with investment areas. We state the expected benefit as a target that you can review later.
What you gain
A management instrument that steers and safeguards
Data that supports decisions
The strategy links your most important decisions to the data they need. Effort on data quality goes where it counts for the business.
Accountability you can evidence
A data governance framework defines roles, responsibilities and decision paths. You can show auditors and supervisors how your company handles data.
Compliance as an architectural principle
GDPR, the EU AI Act and industry-specific rules are built into the data architecture from the start rather than checked after the fact. That saves late rework.
A plan the management steers
The roadmap fits on a few pages and names targets you can review. It stays a leadership tool instead of disappearing into a drawer.
What we analyse
The view of the whole
- Goals of the corporate strategy
- Decisions and the data they need
- Governance: roles, rules, accountability
- Priorities and investment areas
- Regulatory requirements for data
What you receive
Results that belong to you
- A data strategy on a few pages
- A governance model with clear roles
- A roadmap with key figures as targets
How we work
Four steps, each with a result
- Step 1
Translate the goals
From your corporate goals we derive the decisions that data has to support.
- Step 2
Clarify the need
We record which data each decision needs and where it is missing today.
- Step 3
Define governance
We describe roles such as data owner and the rules they work by.
- Step 4
Prioritise the roadmap
We rank investment areas by impact and effort and set key figures as targets.
From practice
Where do the figures in the risk report come from?
A financial services provider has to prove to its supervisor where the data in its risk reports comes from. The data exists, but nobody is accountable for it and changes are not documented. Together with the managing directors we define the business-critical data domains, appoint data owners and describe the evidence paths. The next audit request can be answered with existing documents instead of days of individual research.
A typical scenario as we encounter it in engagements, not a single client case.
When it pays off
Typical occasions
Data exists but is not used
Management carries personal responsibility under NIS2 or DORA
Before investing in AI or new platforms
How it fits your path. Architect. It builds on the Management Clarity from BISA or BEIA. It always starts with a free 45-minute initial call.
Questions and answers
What managing directors ask about it
How long does a data strategy take?
That depends on size and starting point. We agree the scope with you after the on-site entry engagement, based on the Management Clarity.
Why is data strategy a matter for the board?
Because it decides on investments, accountability and risks. With NIS2 and DORA, management's responsibility for information security and ICT risk is also set out in law.
Why SIMO
Advisory that is on your side
Independent
We are not tied to any vendor. Our recommendation follows the outcome of the engagement.
Eye to eye
Thomas Wassum and Andreas O. Schwan lead every engagement personally as managing partners.
Results-driven
Every phase delivers a result that stands on its own. No lock-in, no obligation to continue.
Sovereign
“Your data stays your data.” For sovereignty-critical data we do not recommend US hyperscalers.
Your next step
45 minutes, and you will know whether it fits.
The initial call is free of charge and without obligation. You speak directly with one of the two managing partners.
Or place yourself first: four-step self-check
Prefer to call? +49 6021 625 63 40
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