From the IAIDQ President
Christian Walenta
President
christian [dot] walenta [AT] iaidq [dot] org
January 2009: IDQ Newsletter Vol 5 Issue 1
Dear fellow IAIDQ member,
We are fast approaching the 5th year anniversary of the IAIDQ and have a full agenda for 2009!
The past calendar year was important and eventful; looking back we have quite a list of highlights:
- We conducted and published a Data Governance survey and report in collaboration with the University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UALR)
- The 2008 IDQ Conference in San Antonio was well organized and a big success. It felt like a big family reunion, with old and new faces coming together to talk, share, learn and enjoy. The customer feedback and satisfaction ratings from the event were as high as ever.
- We began work on establishing a professional certification for IQ practitioners and completed the initial phase of a job analysis study and exam blueprint.
- The Ask-The-Expert sessions received a face-lift by going live as webinars, with two new leaders at the helm. The change in format is obviously successful based on the increase in attendance and discussions.
- Overall we saw an increase in member involvement with the IAIDQ and its programs. The member participation in the last election is another sign that members are more motivated to get involved. We had an extremely competitive field running for the new Board.
- We have seen an increase in IQ publications. New books from Tom Redman and Danette McGilvray were highlights in 2008. The first book advocates “data going mainstream” and targets business executives, while the second is a practical guide for tackling IQ projects, aimed at practitioners and project managers.
- There are numerous IQ conversations in blogs, wikis, Facebook, as well as other online sites; the association has been getting more attention throughout the last year. I expect this type of dialog to become more important to us in the future.
- We also raised 2,500 US$ through individual contributions in the last few weeks of 2008. These contributions will help us fund the IQ certification program development. While we have ways more to go, I want to personally express my appreciation and gratitude to the individuals who have donated to our cause and want to encourage other members to follow suit — every contribution helps!
Throughout 2008, we received positive and encouraging feedback that we are on the right track as an association. Members and non-members alike are eager to help the IAIDQ and want to see us succeed and help us deliver value to our members, the industry, and society at large.
I want to thank all the folks that help lead and run the IAIDQ; as a volunteer organization we depend on each of your contributions. Let me assure you that your efforts — be it in operations, member services, publicity, certification, the board, or as advisors — all are very much appreciated.
We intend to build on the momentum from 2008 and grow further in 2009.
We have a renewed Board of Directors; armed with a clear set of goals and priorities, we are now focused on the execution of our plans. Expect to hear more of this in future newsletters.
As we mark the association's 5th anniversary, we expect to celebrate the IAIDQ with you by expanding our reach and programs to deliver more value. With this I wish all of you and your families a successful and prosperous year in 2009!
Sincerely yours,
Christian Walenta
IAIDQ President