About DMBOK 3.0
Purpose, history, and vision
Background and History
The DAMA-DMBOK® (Data Management Body of Knowledge) has long been recognized as the foundational framework for data management, shaping the profession and providing guidance to practitioners and organizations worldwide. First introduced in 2009 as a comprehensive reference, the DAMA-DMBOK® established itself as the go-to standard for defining and understanding data management disciplines, processes, and practices. Its second edition, DAMA-DMBOK® 2.0 Revision, was published in 2017, incorporating expanded knowledge areas and addressing the growing complexities of data management.
Over time, as data has become more central to business success, the complexities of managing it have grown exponentially. Industries now face new challenges, including emerging technologies, evolving regulations, and the increasing demand for ethical and sustainable practices. To remain relevant in this rapidly changing landscape, the DAMA-DMBOK® must evolve as well. The DAMA-DMBOK® 3.0 project represents the latest effort to “evergreen” the Body of Knowledge—ensuring it remains a dynamic, living resource that reflects the current state of data management and anticipates future trends.
Shaping the Future of Data Management Together
At DAMA International, we’re evolving to stay at the forefront of data management. To do this right, we need transparent and effective governance that brings everyone together. Our Triple Helix governance model is our approach to ensure the DAMA-DMBOK® 3.0 is vibrant, relevant, and built collaboratively.
Why Clear Governance is Key to Our Success
Writing a reference book with over 100 volunteers wanting to directly write content and contribute is practically impossible to manage. This is precisely why we've adopted the Triple Helix model. It ensures focused development and clearly defined responsibilities.
Through this clear governance and operating structure, we aim to empower our community, ensuring the development process is transparent, and trust remains strong.
Meet the Triple Helix Groups
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Editorial Board – The Development Crew
The development effort is streamlined and managed by the Editorial Board—a dedicated team of 11 Specialty Editors, guided by a Lead Editor and supported by a Technical Writer. They ensure every part of the DMBOK® 3.0 is clear, consistent, and practically useful for real-world data management.
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CDMP® Masters Editorial Review Panel – The Expert Reviewers
A dedicated group of 7 CDMP® Masters who provide expert peer review and strategic feedback on content developed by the Editorial Board, ensuring we publish content that meets the highest industry standards for accuracy and quality.
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Global Data Community – Our Collaborative Family
This group, primarily made up of DAMA members from local chapters and individual professionals around the globe, gets involved early and often. They review drafts, share feedback, and bring their unique insights—making sure the DMBOK® is as useful and relevant as possible.
Other Stakeholders at Play
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Board of Directors: Approve the final deliverable, ensuring everything aligns with DAMA’s overall vision.
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Project Manager: Focuses on operational execution, managing resources, timelines, and communication, ensuring smooth sailing from start to finish.
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Certification Council: Defines the core standards and competencies that form the foundation for CDMP® certification and guide our publications, aligning closely with global best practices.
With everyone clear on their roles and working together, we're set to deliver a DAMA-DMBOK® that truly serves the global data community.
Editorial Board
The Editorial Board is the cornerstone of the DAMA-DMBOK® 3.0 project, responsible for shaping the content, editorial direction, and development of this foundational resource. Composed of a diverse and experienced group of professionals, the Editorial Board brings together expertise from a range of industries, geographies, and disciplines. Members include practitioners, academics, and researchers, ensuring that the DAMA-DMBOK® 3.0 reflects not only theoretical insights but also practical applications and emerging trends across the data management profession.
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Donna Burbank, USA
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Frank Cerwin, USA
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Chris Battiston, Canada
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James Wang, China
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Jamie DePastino, USA
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Khalid Alfadhel, Saudi Arabia
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Dan Myers, USA
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Irina Brewer, USA
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Shannon Ashford, USA
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Ronald Baan, The Netherlands
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Howard Diesel, South Africa
Key Roles and Responsibilities
The Editorial Board operates as a coordinated team, with clearly defined roles and responsibilities to ensure the project progresses efficiently and effectively:
Specialty Editors:
Specialty Editors bring the subject matter expertise essential to the accuracy and relevance of DAMA-DMBOK® 3.0. They are highly experienced professionals who contribute deep knowledge and insights to ensure the updated framework reflects both established and emerging areas of data management.
These experts provide guidance in critical existing domains such as data governance, data quality, and metadata management, while also addressing new and rapidly evolving topics like AI governance, sustainability, and ethical data practices. By leveraging their domain-specific expertise, Specialty Editors ensure that the content of DAMA-DMBOK® 3.0 is both comprehensive and forward-looking, meeting the diverse needs of the global data management community. Their contributions help shape a standard that is practical, innovative, and aligned with the latest advancements in the field.
Project Manager:
The Project Manager is responsible for the operational execution and coordination of the DAMA-DMBOK® 3.0 project. Supporting the Editorial Board and the Lead Editor, the Project Manager ensures that all project activities align with DAMA International’s objectives and progress according to the established plan. The Project Manager facilitates communication among all stakeholders, ensuring alignment and collaboration throughout the project lifecycle. By coordinating all operational aspects, the Project Manager plays a critical role in ensuring the successful delivery of DAMA-DMBOK® 3.0.
Mathias Vercauteren has been appointed as the Project Manager for the DAMA-DMBOK® 3.0 project.
By guiding content development, ensuring quality, and fostering collaboration, the Editorial Board plays an indispensable role in making DAMA-DMBOK® 3.0 a resource that empowers professionals and organizations worldwide.
Timeline
2026
January -December:
4. Incremental Content Development
March -December:
5. Iterative Review & Draft Releases
2025
January -June:
1. Project Planning & Governance Setup
July -December:
2. Feedback Collection & Research
3. Content Planning & Structuring
2027
January - May:
6. Finalization & Approvals
April - July:
7. Publication & Roll-Out
July December:
8. Post-Publication & Continuous Improvement
Goals and Principles
Project Goals
The primary goals of the DAMA-DMBOK® 3.0 project are to:
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Develop a Modern Reference Resource
Create a comprehensive reference book featuring modern, brand-consistent layout and formatting, enhancing usability for professionals and educators.
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Enhance Relevance and Usability
Modernize content to reflect emerging technologies, disciplines, and best practices while making the framework more accessible and practical for diverse audiences.
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Align with Global Standards
Strengthen alignment with complementary frameworks and standards, such as PMBoK®, NIEM, and ISO data standards, to ensure interoperability and global applicability.
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Engage the Global Data Community
Foster inclusivity by actively incorporating feedback and insights from data practitioners, academics, industry experts, and DAMA chapters around the world.
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Support Certification and Education
Ensure the new framework integrates seamlessly with the Certified Data Management Professional (CDMP) certification and serves as a valuable resource for educators and trainers.
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Leverage Modern Technologies
Utilize digital platforms, semantic wikis, and metadata-rich tools to create an interactive and future-proof resource.
Guiding Principles
The creation of DAMA-DMBOK® 3.0 is grounded in the following core principles that guide every stage of the project:
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Transparency and Shared Ownership:
Transparency is at the heart of this project. Regular updates, shared milestones, and clear communication channels ensure that contributors and stakeholders remain informed and engaged. This openness fosters trust, empowering the global data community to feel like co-creators of DAMA-DMBOK® 3.0. By maintaining this collaborative spirit, we reinforce a sense of shared ownership and accountability for the final product.
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Global Collaboration and Engagement:
Recognizing that data management challenges transcend borders, DAMA-DMBOK® 3.0 is being built as a globally inclusive effort. The project actively seeks input from practitioners, academics, industry organizations, standards bodies, and governmental institutions worldwide. This collaboration ensures the framework reflects diverse perspectives, regional nuances, and sector-specific needs, making it a truly universal standard.
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Inclusiveness:
The project prioritizes inclusiveness by engaging a wide range of voices and expertise. Whether it’s individual data practitioners, DAMA Chapters, or academic thought leaders, everyone is encouraged to contribute. This inclusiveness ensures that DAMA-DMBOK® 3.0 addresses the needs of a diverse global community and remains relevant to evolving industry trends.
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Quality:
Quality is paramount in every aspect of DAMA-DMBOK® 3.0. From the accuracy and reliability of its content to the precision of its formatting and usability, the project strives to uphold DAMA International’s high standards. By maintaining rigorous review cycles, peer feedback, and expert oversight, the final product will be a trusted resource for professionals worldwide.
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Future-Proofing:
Alongside incorporating new and evolving industry trends and technology references regarding data management, the project is committed to ensuring that the DAMA-DMBOK® 3.0 remains adaptable and iterative. This includes designing processes and structures to capture ongoing feedback and insights from the global data community. These mechanisms will facilitate the regular release of updates and new editions, enabling the Body of Knowledge to evolve continuously in alignment with future developments and needs.