In a detailed retrospective, a data governance veteran with 18 years of experience across automotive OEMs and suppliers reveals that the most common failure point in enterprise digital transformation is not technology selection but master data management. Having worked on DMS, TMS, MES, PDM, BI, and later leading CDP, data middle platforms, and MA platforms, the author argues that without clean, consistent master data, even the best tech stack will fail. The article draws on real-world examples from the automotive industry, where complex supply chains and legacy systems amplify data quality issues. The author holds a CDGP certification and emphasizes that data governance requires both business and technical understanding. For engineering leaders, this is a crucial reminder that data strategy must precede technology investment.
An experienced data governance expert with 18 years in automotive digitalization argues that master data management is the biggest hidden challenge in enterprise digital transformation, not technology.