Without a data strategy, the people within an organization have no guidelines for making decisions that are absolutely crucial to the success of the IT organization and to the entire organization. The absence of a strategy gives a blank check to those who want to pursue their own agendas, including those who want to try new database management systems, new technologies (often unproven), and new tools. This type of environment provides no hope for success. Data Strategy should result in the development of systems with less risk, higher quality systems, and reusability of assets. This is key to keeping cost and maintenance down, thus running lean and mean. Data Strategy provides a CIO with a rationale to counter arguments for immature technology and data strategies that are inconsistent with existing strategies. This book uses case studies and best practices to give the reader the tools they need to create the best strategy for the organization.