Finger Family of MDM Data Model (How to Dance With Your Hands?)

In our last topic, we share a scenario on how the outcome of MDM Data Model can help us. This topic will be a little bit technical as we going on illustrate a generic Master Data Model that follows a common industry-wide approach, showcasing how organizations across different sectors can implement a similar model to manage their critical data efficiently.

With use case of Mr. Muthu case, we need to design a Master Data Model that can managing our patient aka our client in other industry which is the party that we need to manage.

Party Master Data - Managing People & Corporate Entities

• This domain focuses on individuals (people like you and me) and / or corporate entities (business organizations) that interact with the business.

• Individuals:

  • Each person may have multiple contacts, addresses, and identification details (e.g., passport, national ID, driver’s license).

  • Example: A hospital patient, a bank’s client, or an insurance policyholder whose data needs to be uniquely identified across branches.

• Corporate Entities:

  • Similar to individuals, corporations also maintain contact details, addresses, and identification records.

  • Additionally, businesses may have financial data, turnover rates, business commencement information, and regulatory compliance records.

  • Example: A corporate banking client or an enterprise insurance policyholder.

• Party Master Table

  • Acts as a central reference point that helps the system determine whether different party records—despite variations in names, addresses, or other attributes—are actually linked to the same individual or corporate entity.

  • This allows the system to consolidate both records under a single patient profile, ensuring that the patient's complete medical history is accurately maintained and accessible across all branches.

Despite the changes of Mr. Muthu history timeline, the Party Master table acting  by storing a unique identifier (such as the Party Master Key) to recognize that these records refer to the same individual.

Once we have developed the Party Master Data (a single unified party profile), naturally we might have the next thoughts of explore how this foundation can be extended to other domains. Starting with core entities like patient information, partner details, product information, etc. you might notice a familiar pattern emerging.

When we zoom out from our earlier discussion on the Master Data needed for a hospital, we might realize that it’s actually quite similar to a house blueprint layout—where each domain represents a different room.

Interestingly, the overall structure of the data model is surprisingly similar to those used in other industries. The only key difference lies in the Industry-Related Domain—where the type of data varies depending on the nature of the business.

For example:

• In a hospital, industry-related data might include patient admissions, treatments, and medical records.

• In the banking industry, it could involve loan agreements, account details, and customer portfolios.

• In the retail sector, it might focus on inventory, sales transactions, and customer preferences.

However, it’s important to maintain balance. Imagine living in a castle with 200 rooms—the upkeep would be overwhelming! Similarly, a Master Data Model that includes too many complex domains without proper governance can become difficult to maintain and may lead to data inconsistencies and operational inefficiencies. The key is to find the right balance between completeness and manageability to keep the system effective and scalable.

Would you focus on customer or client data to improve customer service and personalization?

Would you prioritize product data to streamline inventory management and sales tracking?

Would you enhance partner and supplier data to strengthen business relationships and improve procurement efficiency?

How could a well-structured Master Data Model help drive better decision-making, operational efficiency, and business insights within your organization?

Take a moment to reflect on how Master Data could be a game-changer for your business!

Next we would go through the Data Harmonization Process working its magic—the true magician behind the curtain—creating a reliable reference point so everything connects smoothly. The design of the harmonization process typically depends on the business processes of an organization, ensuring it is well-balanced and tailored to best fit the organization's unique needs.

Want to know the magician's secret? Don’t miss our next topic: "MDM, You Are Special – What Makes MDM Unique from Data Warehouse, Data Lake?" Come find out how the magic really happens!