Data fragmentation and lineage are two critical themes within data management that are intrinsically linked.
Good data lineage can help overcome the impediments imposed by siloed data because it is an important aid in optimising data integration and utility.
Both will be examined in detail by experts at A-Team Group’s 16th annual Data Management Summit London later in the month.
Separate panels will take on each topic, looking at the necessity of ensuring each are properly managed while also taking a deep dive into how their specific – and related pain points – can be overcome.Silos a Longstanding But Still Extant Obstacle
The segregation of data across multiple systems is one of the longest-standing hindrances to effective data management and despite technological advances in pipeline administration and governance it remains a thorn in the industry’s side.
The problem is regularly cited in surveys of financial institutions’ data leaders as a leading block to the implementation of everything from modern data management processes to artificial intelligence rollouts.
The increasing criticality of data has made remediation of the problem a priority. But that’s taking time because silos are embedded in the data ecosystem.
“Silos originate for numerous reasons, often valid at the time but generally as a result of needing to ring fence specific data,” said James Hope-Lang, programme lead – data management at Danske Bank. “Implementing the basics of good enterprise-wide data governance can mitigate these decisions but in a lot of cases this is a secondary consideration.”
Hope-Lang, who will be among speakers at the panel entitled “Beyond Silos – Building a unified data ecosystem for access, agility and ROI”, said institutional attempts to solve the challenge aren’t making headway.
“Regulatory drivers like BCBS239 were the stick to encourage good behaviour but the review last year on adoption showed that it’s still not working,” he told Data Management Insight.
Workarounds and Permanent Fixes
Among a range of topics, the panel will look at real-world examples of how institutions have managed to solve the fragmentation challenge. That includes workarounds that have been made possible – and made necessary – by new technologies.
“The prevalence of AI use cases requiring governed data from multiple silos has made data governance a strategic enabler and buy in from the business will be more sustainable,” Hope-Lang said. “This will not remove silos but it will allow data to be understood from them across the organisation.”
The panel will be moderated by Duncan Cooper, former chief data officer at Northern Trust and speakers will also comprise Junaid Arshad, custody data product development at State Street; Prerit Ahuja, director, global AI & data strategy at DNB Carnegie; and, Alex Cave, commercial analytics director at Lloyds Banking Group.
Pulling the Data Threads Together
Lineage is an important tool for bringing dispersed datasets together. But its criticality goes further; it provides the rails that enable data to run smoothly through a pipeline from source to end users. It is also a fundament of data quality, keeping data in order, providing the link between its origins and the processes through which it passes.
In the panel session “End-to-end data lineage in action: Case studies and discussion”, experts will consider the increasing importance of lineage and the role it plays in workflows such as those needed for regulatory compliance.
Maintaining a clear record of the progress of any data is a challenge, explained Ray Sullivan, vice president, data modernisation at Rocket Software.
“Tracing data lineage across hybrid environments is one of today’s toughest challenges, often creating blind spots where trust breaks down,” Sullivan, one of the panellists, told Data Management Insight.
“Automating lineage isn’t just for compliance support – it’s the foundation for innovation. Beyond meeting regulatory demands, it builds the trust needed to deploy AI with confidence.
“When you can prove where your data comes from and how it’s changed, you’re not just audit-ready – you’re building a self-validating, intelligent data ecosystem.”
The panel will be moderated by Naomi Clarke, independent data innovation and strategy expert and will also comprise Pablo Kotey, head of data enablement at Schroders; Ghislain Leugue, data management lead – fraud prevention at NatWest; and, Janelle Veasey, chief executive of 3D Innovations.
- A-Team Group Data Management Summit London will be held at etc.venues, 8 Fenchurch Place, London on March 26. To book your place, click here for registration details.
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